“In a heart-wrenching saga that unfolded over several years, two brothers, Graham Chike Okwuanalu and David Okwuanalu, found themselves caught in a web of false accusations, harassment, extortion, and blatant abuse of power by a group that included members of the Nigerian Police Force, prosecutors, and other individuals,” recounts their attorney, painting a stark picture of their ordeal. Their story is a stark reminder of the injustices that can befall innocent individuals when the system meant to protect them becomes a tool of oppression.
The story takes a dark turn when the Okwuanalu brothers allege that a section of the Nigerian police, instead of upholding justice, turned them from victims into accused individuals. Names like Sergeant Okunola and ASP/Inspector Henry , Alhaji Seriki, Tella, Abubakar and Abulahi Habib Seriki and their accomplices and allies enter the narrative as individuals allegedly involved in this ordeal.
“The troubles for Graham and David Okwuanalu began on December 14, 2016, when Graham and David was embroiled in an argument over some $50,000 transaction with some individuals called Seriki, Abubakar, and Mukaila Tella and their accomplices” their attorney narrates. “This dispute led to Graham’s detention at Alausa police station in Lagos, raising suspicions about the relationship between the police officers and the people who put them through this harrowing experience.”
These same set of people produced fraudulent wire transfers and manufactured forged transfer slips in the United States. They manipulated the police and courts and made Graham and David to be wrongfully accused for what they knew nothing about. Furthermore, false articles were spread online, tarnishing their reputation and accusing them of duping a bdc business in Lagos.”
Their names were put online with headlines like “Siblings arraigned for defrauding BDC operators of $50,000”; “Brothers docked over $50,000 fraud”; “Two brothers charged with $50,000 fraud”; etc. These headlines and articles never showed the details of the matter and how a victim was suffering in the hands of wicked fraudsters who provided the court with a false narrative and were using them in a show of illegal power.
“Subsequently,” their attorney continues, “the brothers faced a series of arrests, with the Nigerian Police Force Interpol, Alagbon, Lagos, accusing them of obtaining money under false pretenses.” In January and February 2017, they were arrested and released on separate occasions, only to be arrested yet again. These repeated arrests took a heavy toll on their mental and financial well-being as they were coerced into paying substantial amounts for bail and other dubious purposes.
“The situation escalated when the brothers found themselves facing same charges in both the Lagos State Magistrate Court and the Federal High Court simultaneously,” their attorney notes. “These legal battles were riddled with irregularities, leading to further emotional and financial strain on the accused.” Fortunately, in May 2017, the Federal High Court dismissed the charges against them for abuse of court process.
“One of the most disturbing incidents in their ordeal was the prosecutor’s aggressive behavior during a court appearance in June 2017,” their attorney emphasizes. “The prosecutor, Mr. Henry, threatened to forcibly arrest the brothers and take them to a different court, despite their presence in Hon. P.A Adekomaiya’s Court.” This incident, witnessed by one Mr. Godwin, an officer and friend of the accused, resulted in physical violence against Mr. Godwin when he tried to intervene.
The plot thickens with allegations of forged evidence and fabricated stories aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Okwuanalu brothers. They claim that a supposed friend in the United States used their case to blackmail them. This reveals an alleged network with international reach, enabling the creation of damaging narratives and threats.
“Throughout this harrowing journey,” their attorney reflects, “Graham and David Okwuanalu displayed unwavering resilience and an unshakeable belief in their innocence. They fought for their rights in the face of adversity and stood up against the abuse of power. Their story is a testament to the enduring human spirit when faced with injustice.”
“Even after enduring years of suffering,” their attorney continues, “the ordeal was not over for the brothers because of continuous threats by allies of their traducers.
“The case of Graham and David Okwuanalu is a distressing example of how individuals can be victimized by a system meant to protect them,” their attorney emphasizes. “Their plea for justice echoes the need for accountability within the Nigerian legal system, where the innocent should not have to endure such a long and arduous battle for their freedom.” Their story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and human rights for all.
Amid this nightmarish ordeal, the Okwuanalu brothers found solace in the justice system when they encountered a police officer who stood as a beacon of integrity and incorruptibility. This officer’s intervention marked a turning point, as they finally saw a glimmer of hope within a system that had seemed overwhelmingly oppressive.
David Okwuanalu expressed his gratitude, stating, “Meeting an officer who believed in justice and truth restored our faith in the system.”
Their ordeal serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges individuals may encounter when confronting alleged corruption within the criminal justice system especially in a country that aspires to uphold principles of justice and fairness, the brothers’ journey exemplifies resilience, hope and unwavering pursuit of truth. It shows that they can not be silenced in the face of justice.