•Late Chiamaka Vivian Chilaka
The family of late Miss Chiamaka Vivian Chilaka, a 23-year-old final-year student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, has demanded a fresh and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Chiamaka was reportedly found dead at her residence in Alor on June 14, 2026, with the family expressing concerns over the handling of the investigation and calling for a transparent process that would establish the circumstances of her death and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, reports Daily Independent.
The family made the demand at a press briefing in Port Harcourt through its legal counsel, Euphemia Ifeyinwa Eleonu, who specifically called for the recusal of the police officer handling the case at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, SuPol Nwaije Francis, alleging that he had demonstrated bias in the handling of the matter.
Eleonu stated that the family had, as far back as July 21, written to the police to object to the release on bail of the prime suspect and demanded his prosecution, but alleged that the letter was not acted upon.
She said, “We demand an independent and transparent investigation. SuPol Nwaije Francis of SCID Awka, the IPO handling this case, must recuse himself; he has shown enough bias in the case.
“As early as 21st July, we wrote a letter to the police objecting to the bail of the prime suspect and demanding his prosecution, but that letter was not attended to.”
According to her, the police investigator had also informed her that the police had identified the person they believed was responsible for Chiamaka’s death, a development she described as inappropriate before the conclusion of investigation and determination by a competent court.
“In fact, it was the same IPO that broke the news to me that they had seen the person that killed Chiamaka. Police responsibility stops at investigation and not to convict or to say who killed or did not kill. I don’t know how the police came about seeing who they felt killed the girl. Everybody for now is suspect,” she said.
Eleonu further called for the removal of the entire investigative team, including CSP Ayorinde David, the IPO’s immediate senior officer in charge, and the homicide section of SCID Awka, to pave the way for a fresh investigation.
“Our contention is that let the IPO be recused from this matter and the entire team, CSP Ayorinde David, the IPO’s immediate senior officer in charge and all of Homicide section, SCID Awka. Let us have a fresh investigation into this matter,” she said.
She stressed that the family was not seeking revenge, but justice for the deceased, urging the police to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.
“It is worthy to note that since this incident, the Commissioner of Police or the Deputy Commissioner of Police who is in charge of the State CID, homicide section, has not had any one-on-one briefing with the family. It is unusual,” Elepnu said.
The lawyer also alleged that the family of the primary suspect who was released had been engaging with community leaders, including the Igwe and President-General of Alor community, in relation to the matter.
She said the IPO had alleged that the President-General of Alor community was sponsoring the case, adding that such a comment was insensitive given that the deceased was an orphan.
Eleonu appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to order the recusal of the IPO and disband the investigative team.
She also demanded the rearrest of the primary suspect, identified as Chiamaka’s landlord, Mr Ogochukwu Ugoeze, pending the determination of the matter by the court.
“We are also asking that the primary suspect, who is her landlord that was exonerated, Mr Ogochukwu Ugoeze, be rearrested pending the determination from the court,” she said.
Also speaking, the deceased’s aunt, Blessing Uche James, said Chiamaka had gone to Alor to pursue her nursing education before the family received news of her death on June 14.
“She went to Alor to study nursing, only on the 14th of June that we heard the sad news,” she said, adding, “All I want is justice. I don’t have anybody. I am the only one that is taking care of her. She is an orphan.”
Chiamaka’s immediate elder brother, Ikenna Chilaka, described her death as an alleged murder and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu to intervene in the matter.
“My late sister was allegedly murdered on the 14th of June 2026. I call on the Inspector-General of Police to come to our aid and order a proper investigation,” he said.
He further demanded the rearrest of the prime suspect and other suspects, insisting that they should remain in police custody until the court determines their culpability or otherwise.
“I am not happy with the way the investigation has been going. We need justice,” Chilaka said.
