By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, demanding the review of disciplinary action against a female police sergeant who was punished for seeking to protect an abandoned child she rescued.
RULAAC, in a petition dated 7 May 2026 and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, called for the immediate restoration of the rank of W/Sgt. Agwu Charity and a full investigation into allegations of child trafficking and abuse of police processes in Ebonyi State.
According to the petition, W/Sgt. Agwu Charity, currently attached to No. 32 PMF Squadron in Abakaliki, was reduced from the rank of Inspector to Sergeant following events that began on 2 December 2022. While on official duty, she reportedly rescued a baby being carried by a mentally unstable woman under questionable conditions and attempted to process the child through official police channels.
The officer allegedly faced resistance and pressure from senior officers at the Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC), Central Police Station, Abakaliki. The petition claims that SP Ngozi Ugbala (then O/C JWC), SP Loveth Ogbuinya (Command O/C JWC), ASP Grace Ogbuswe, and W/Inspector Maureen Otum allegedly tried to compel her to release the child to a private couple outside established legal adoption or foster care procedures. W/Sgt. Agwu reportedly refused, citing concerns over possible child trafficking or unlawful adoption.
The matter reportedly escalated into internal disciplinary proceedings, which the officer claims were concluded without fair hearing by CSP Daniel Nwonu. She was said to have been denied adequate opportunity to defend herself and was only informed of the punishment after it was imposed.
RULAAC further raised disturbing allegations that the rescued child may have later fallen victim to trafficking. The group cited claims that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested individuals connected to the child’s transfer, and the child was eventually recovered in Abakaliki.
The petition also referenced a separate case allegedly involving the unlawful transfer of another child linked to the officer’s family, which was reportedly recovered through the intervention of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of FCID Annex, Enugu.
The advocacy group expressed concern over the roles of some state officials, including Mrs. Chinwe Okah, then Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ebonyi State, and Mr. Emmanuel Nkwuda of the Child Development Unit, who allegedly restricted the officer’s access to monitor the child’s welfare after the baby was taken to a motherless babies’ home.
In the petition, RULAAC urged the IGP to review the disciplinary proceedings and restore W/Sgt. Agwu’s rank pending the outcome.
The petition also asked that the IGP order an independent investigation into the child trafficking allegations, probe the conduct of the officers and officials named in the petition, verify the current welfare and status of the child(ren) involved and protect whistleblowing officers from retaliation.
.