The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), calling for urgent intervention to compel the Nigeria Police Force to obey court orders mandating it to compensate Gloria Okolie, a 21-year-old woman who suffered prolonged abuse and unlawful detention in police custody.
In a letter dated May 26, 2025, and addressed to the NBA President at the NBA House Headquarters in Abuja, RULAAC described Gloria’s ordeal as a “grave injustice” and a “blight on Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law.”
Gloria Okolie, born in June 2000, went missing on June 17, 2021, while preparing for her JAMB examination. Unknown to her family, she was detained at the Tiger Base of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Owerri, Imo State, where she was reportedly subjected to inhumane treatment and used as a maid by police officers.
According to RULAAC, efforts by her family to locate her were met with stonewalling and extortion by police operatives. After nearly 70 days of illegal detention, the police publicly claimed she was a “spy” for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)-an allegation her family categorically denied.
“Despite the absence of credible evidence, Gloria was transferred to Abuja and held without charge for months, in clear violation of the Police Act 2020 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015,” RULAAC stated.
Gloria was only charged in November 2021, five months after her arrest, and subsequently granted bail. However, both the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court found her detention unlawful, awarding a combined #90 million in damages-#30 million from the ECOWAS Court and #60 million from the FCT High Court.
RULAAC’S Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, who signed the petition, urged the NBA to leverage its influence to ensure compliance with the judgments.
“Gloria’s story is symbolic of the systemic police brutality and impunity endured by many Nigerians. We urge the NBA to demand immediate payment of her compensation and advocate for broader police reform,” Nwanguma said.
The petition calls on the NBA to:
- Push for full compliance with the ECOWAS and Nigerian court orders for compensation.
- Promote systemic reforms to address unlawful detentions and abuse in the police force.
- Champion legal protections and justice for victims of state violence.
RULAAC emphasized that Gloria’s case is not isolated, but a reflection of widespread human rights violations and the urgent need for accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.