- Family petitions IGP
From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The family of Miss Lechi Nwachukwu from Umeze, the woman who died 3 days after release from police custody in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to help in investigating the cause of her death.
The younger brother of the deceased, Ability Nwachukwu, claimed her sister, 41, was arrested by the police on March 7, 2025, after her stepmothers had lodged a complaint to the police that she threatened their lives.
He further alleged that she was released three days after but in a critical condition.
“She was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctors at the Federal Medical Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where she was taken to for treatment.”
“She was arrested by the police because my stepmothers accused her of threatening their lives, they have been having normal exchange of words, but Mrs Celine Nwachukwu that day said my sister threatened her life and reported the matter to the police.
Meanwhile, the family has also engaged the service of a law firm that wrote the petition to the IGP and Zone 9 to help unravel the circumstances that led to Nwachukwu’s death.
Part of the petition written by the deceased family counsel, Kenny Kalu, read thus: “Upon a conclusive investigation carried out by the police, the petition was considered malicious hence an order to release the deceased on bail pending further determination of the matter. She was released in bad health on the 10th of March, 2025.
Kalu said the family has described the death of their sister as mysterious and appealed to the IGP to wade into the matter and ensure justice is duly served.