By Adesina Soyooye
For declaring her wanted, Ihuoma Julia Nneji, daughter of Frank Nneji, owner of ABC Transport Company, has demanded an apology from the Nigerian Police Force, NPF and a retraction of what they put out.
A few days ago, not a few people were perplexed when the news broke that Ms Nneji has been declared wanted by the National Cyber Crime Centre, Abuja.
But in a strongly worded petition to the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, Ms. Nneji has given the NPF-NCCC 48 hours to retract and issue a written public apology to her or she would head to the Court to seek legal redress.
The demand for a written apology and retraction was made through her Solicitors, Pillar-Rest Attorneys. It asked the IGP to direct the NPF-NCCC to remove the Special Police Gazette Bulletin declaring their client “Wanted”.
The NPF in the bulletin said it declared Ms. Nneji wanted over alleged cybercrime, criminal defamation, and cyberstalking. This was released late Tuesday.
Shared on the NPF’s official Facebook page, the notice directed that Ms Nneji be arrested and handed over to the nearest police station or the NPF-NCCC headquarters in Abuja.
The petition by Nneji’s Lawyers, dated April 16, 2025, was entitled: “Report of Unlawful Public Declaration of Ihuoma Julia Nneji “Wanted” by The Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre Unit In Breach of Her Fundamental Rights”, and
signed by Oyaje James Oyigoga Esq.
Addressed to the IGP through the Director, NPF, National Cyber Crime Centre, Abuja (NPF-NCCC),
the solicitors, said the declaration of Ms Nneji as a Wanted Person, constitutes a breach of her fundamental rights protected by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The petition pointed out that the notification of same has been widely published in all platforms and media outlets and therefore, demands a retraction anywhere it may have been disseminated.
Other demands by the solicitors include a written apology to Ms Nneji “for the reputational damage, emotional trauma and unlawful declaration by the police.”
A demand that “a written undertaking that our client’s rights shall no longer be infringed upon” was also made. However, “failure to comply with the above within the stipulated time will leave us with no option than to initiate appropriate legal proceedings to enforce our client’s fundamental rights, including, but not limited to, a claim for exemplary and general damages, and a motion for public retraction and injection. This, we will do without further recourse to your office”.
The letter described the action of the police in declaring her wanted as reckless. The lawyers pointed out that that before the widely circulated publication, Ms Nneji “was neither invited for questioning nor informed of the allegation against her in detail, nor given any opportunity whatsoever to respond to any petition or complaint allegedly made against her.
“Our client is a public figure who hails from a well-respected home and can be reached via her contact details, family or legal representatives.
“This action taken by your office is a direct violation of our client’s constitutionally-guaranteed rights and is both unlawful and reckless”.
Ms Nneji, the Lawyers also noted, “had filed an action against the petitioner, Barr. Henry Uzochukwu, on October 29, 2024, for defamation of her character, which suit is currently pending before the court.”
Ms Nneji’s lawyers, however, pointed out that the petitioner had “likewise initiated a civil suit against their client, which is currently pending before the court, to which Nneji has also responded.
“Our client is a decent properly raised and law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has continued to conduct her personal and professional affairs with utmost decorum.
“We are aware that the action of the Nigerian Police Force declaring our client wanted without inviting her or availing her an opportunity to be heard and respond to the allegations contained in the petition is a violation of her constitutional rights as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.”
There has, so far, been no response from the Police or IGPs office.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
