The Nigeria Police Force has notified the Federal High Court in Abuja that it has transmitted its investigation report and legal advice on the disappearance of Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, in what counsel to the applicant described as partial compliance with a September 2025 court judgment.
Anozie was allegedly abducted by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2017. The disclosure came during proceedings in a contempt case filed against the Inspector-General of Police by Engr. Nnenna Anozie, the missing man’s wife, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025.
According to a press statement by the applicant’s counsel, Vincent Adodo, the matter came up on Friday, July 24, 2026, before Justice Binta F.M. Nyako. Adodo said the court drew attention to a Notice of Compliance filed by counsel to the Inspector-General of Police, Stanley Nwodo, confirming that the case file — containing the legal advice and investigation report — had been forwarded to the Attorney General in line with part of the court’s judgment delivered on September 24, 2025. “We commend the Inspector General of Police for complying with this aspect of the judgment of the Federal High Court,” Adodo said.
He noted, however, that the police had yet to satisfy other elements of the ruling, including releasing a Certified True Copy of the duplicate case file to the applicant, arresting the officers accused of abducting her husband, handing them over to the Attorney General for prosecution, and paying ₦2 million in damages awarded for violating the applicant’s right to freedom of information. The applicant has named the principal suspects as ASP Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu and Sergeant Ugochukwu Emeana.
Adodo also commended Justice Nyako for what he called a demonstration of empathy toward the applicant, whose husband allegedly vanished after being taken by SARS operatives from Awkuzu, Anambra State, in June 2017, saying the progress recorded in the matter reflects the judge’s commitment to ensuring she receives justice.
The case has drawn renewed public attention following allegations by the Network of Abuja Left Groups that the police have shielded officers allegedly responsible for Anozie’s disappearance. The coalition claims SARS operatives attached to the former Awkuzu unit arrested Anozie at his Lekki, Lagos residence on June 15, 2017, seizing family documents, cash, and two vehicles. The group further alleges that his bank account was emptied days later, that his wife was repeatedly denied access to him, and that ASP Anthony Obiozor demanded ₦5 million from the family before access was cut off entirely.
The coalition also alleges that despite court orders directing police to either charge or release Anozie — and a subsequent order for the release of his body after police reportedly claimed he died in custody — the force failed to comply. It has accused the police of frustrating investigations by declining invitations from the National Human Rights Commission and the #EndSARS judicial panel, and has called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure prosecution of all officers implicated in the case.
