Fresh controversies have trailed an alleged child trafficking scandal involving senior police officers in Ebonyi State, as investigators at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu, reportedly advised the victim’s family to “negotiate” with the suspects.
The case centres on the family of Mr. Philip Nweze, whose sister, Susannah Nwanneka Nweze, claimed her newborn baby was sold by some officers for ₦25 million under suspicious circumstances.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, at least two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), including the Officer-in-Charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Officer-in-Charge of Medical, were named in the scandal.
Others indicted include SP Loveth Uche, head of the Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC), two inspectors, and some civilian collaborators.
The drama escalated during a meeting on Tuesday, where the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the FCID Annex was expected to preside but was absent.
In the AIG’s absence, SP Loveth Uche reportedly confronted ACP Bright, the O/C Medical, accusing him of being complicit in the illegal transaction.
Uche allegedly tendered video and audio recordings, including footage of her handing over ₦700,000 to Ms. Nwanneka at the police clinic.
The O/C Medical denied involvement, blasting Uche for secretly recording their conversation.
“How can a fellow officer enter the police clinic and begin taking videos and recordings without my knowledge? It is sinister and unethical,” she was quoted as saying.
Mr. Nweze, the complainant, insisted that his family would pursue justice. He also demanded the reinstatement of his wife’s rank, which was allegedly stripped after she exposed a previous child trafficking case linked to the same SP Uche.
“My wife’s only ‘offence’ was rescuing a baby from a mentally challenged woman and demanding accountability for the child. Instead of commendation, she was accused of insubordination and demoted,” Nweze told journalists.
He further disclosed that investigators advised him to seek an “out-of-court settlement” since his sister admitted to collecting ₦700,000 linked to the case.
A source at the meeting alleged that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), ACP God Is Great, told the complainant to consider settling with the implicated officers.
“The IPO warned that if the case goes to court, the family’s involvement, including the sister who admitted to taking ₦700,000, could also implicate them. They advised him to negotiate with the officers,” the source said.
The matter, however, was adjourned to another date after the absence of the AIG stalled proceedings.
The Nweze family had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police, accusing the officers of child trafficking, abduction, unlawful arrest, and conspiracy.
The petition also implicated officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, which allegedly released the baby without proper documentation.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Nweze, who was present at the meeting, vowed never to back down.
“I will never call the retired commissioner of police who conspired in my demotion. If pursuing justice for a child I rescued is my crime, I will rather resign from the police service than remain silent,” she declared.
The scandal has raised fresh concerns about systemic rot within Nigeria’s policing system, especially in handling cases involving vulnerable children.
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