The House of Representatives has adjourned the hearing on the petition brought by Obianuju Iloanya against the Nigeria Police Force – for the third time. The petition is for the disappearance of her brother, Chijioke in 2012 after being arrested by the Akwuzu Special Anti-Robbery Squad headed by retired Chief Police Superintendent, James Nwafor.
The hearing is headed by committee chair, Honorable Mike Etiaba. It is the first time the case is being given attention by the federal government in the 12 years since her demand for justice began.
The case was adjourned the first time to enable the Inspector General of Police be summoned, and it was adjourned the second time after the IG’s representative claimed the case files cannot be identified, and it was adjourned the third time after the police didn’t show up for the adjourned hearing.
“We wrote to the IG to appear, and IG has not appeared yet,” Etiaba said at the last hearing. “You need to wait, let’s get across to the liaison officer of the police. You can be called upon tomorrow, just wait.”
The proceedings are captured in a new documentary ‘Where is Chijioke?’ released on 23 October. The documentary is directed by award-winning filmmaker and host of #WithChude, Chude Jideonwo. It is presented by the factual film and series studio from West Africa, Chude Jideonwo Presents.
The documentary follows the 10-day protest by 28-year-old Obianuju in front of the National Assembly demanding accountability in the case of her missing brother, who was 20 years old when he was arrested, and for definite information on his status.
The case has now been adjourned indefinitely, while Iloanya awaits a new hearing date.
The film is also available on-demand on the streaming platform withChude.com.
