By Titus Maduako Eleweke
Renowned human rights lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to launch a thorough investigation into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Monitoring Unit at its Headquarters in Abuja for the alleged arrest, brutalization, torture, and unlawful detention of Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye over an unpaid debt to her husband.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ejiofor decried the police’s involvement in debt recovery, emphasizing that statutory laws and judicial precedents have consistently ruled that the Nigeria Police Force is not authorized to act as a debt collection agency. He highlighted that the unlawful use of the police for financial disputes persists despite clear directives from the IGP.
Citing Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act, Ejiofor stressed that the law explicitly defines the duties of the police, which do not include debt recovery. He further referenced landmark court rulings such as Kure v. Commissioner of Police (2020) LPELR-49378 (SC) and Madaki & Anor v. GTB & Anor (2022) LPELR-57419 (CA), reinforcing the position that the police cannot be used to settle private financial matters.
Ejiofor questioned how officers from the NPF Monitoring Unit could arrest, brutalize, torture, and detain Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye based on a petition filed by her legally married husband, Mr. George Obinna Smart Unaegbu, over an alleged debt. He expressed outrage over the timing of the incident, which occurred on a globally recognized day for celebrating motherhood, thereby subjecting a mother of three to inhumane treatment instead of allowing her to partake in Mothering Sunday celebrations.
According to Ejiofor, on March 28, 2025, officers from the NPF Monitoring Unit, acting on her husband’s petition, stormed their Lagos residence and arrested Mrs. Smart in the presence of their children. She was subsequently detained at the FCID Annex in Panti, Lagos, where she was allegedly coerced into transferring ₦5 million to her husband’s account. When she was unable to pay an additional ₦10 million, she was forcibly transferred to Abuja and detained at the notorious Abattoir facility, known for holding hardened criminals.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Ejiofor revealed that while Mrs. Smart was in detention, her husband relocated their children and took possession of her personal belongings.
Ejiofor pointed out that the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC), under its Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (RTD), and the IGP have issued explicit directives prohibiting officers from engaging in debt recovery, proxy arrests, and land dispute matters. However, officers involved in this case blatantly disregarded these directives, prioritizing personal financial interests over their constitutional duties.
Demanding justice, Ejiofor called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye. He further urged the IGP to initiate a full-scale investigation into this gross abuse of power and ensure that all officers involved face appropriate sanctions to deter future misconduct.
While considering legal action, Ejiofor underscored the necessity of bringing this case to public attention to prevent further erosion of the rule of law. “The Nigeria Police Force must not be unscrupulously used as a tool for settling private disputes, especially on a day meant to honor mothers.
This incident is particularly egregious given that the highest echelons of the Police Authority have sternly warned against such disgraceful acts that tarnish the institution’s reputation,” he stated.
