The family of the late Miss Chiamaka Vivian Chilaka, a 23-year-old final-year student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, has called for a fresh and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Chiamaka was reportedly found dead at her residence in Alor on June 14, 2026, and the family, which expressed concerns over the handling of the case, said it wanted a transparent investigation capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding her death and determining whether anyone should be held responsible.

The demand was made during a press briefing in Port Harcourt by the family’s legal counsel, Euphemia Ifeyinwa Eleonu.

Eleonu called for the recusal of the police officer handling the case at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, SuPol Nwaije Francis, alleging that his handling of the investigation had raised concerns about possible bias.

She said the family had written to the police on July 21, objecting to the release on bail of the prime suspect and requesting his prosecution, but alleged that the letter received no action.

She said, “We demand an independent and transparent investigation. SuPol Nwaije Francis of SCID Awka, the IPO handling this case, must recuse himself; he has shown enough bias in the case.

“As early as 21st July, we wrote a letter to the police objecting to the bail of the prime suspect and demanding his prosecution, but that letter was not attended to.”

The lawyer also alleged that the investigator told her that the police had identified the person they believed was responsible for Chiamaka’s death.

Eleonu questioned the appropriateness of such a position before the conclusion of the investigation and determination of culpability by a competent court.

“In fact, it was the same IPO that broke the news to me that they had seen the person that killed Chiamaka. Police responsibility stops at investigation and not to convict or to say who killed or did not kill. I don’t know how the police came about seeing who they felt killed the girl. Everybody for now suspects,” she said.

She further called for the removal of the investigative team, including CSP Ayorinde David, whom she identified as the IPO’s immediate senior officer in charge, as well as officers in the homicide section of SCID Awka.

“Our contention is that let the IPO be recused from this matter and the entire team, CSP Ayorinde David, the IPO’s immediate senior officer in charge and all of Homicide section, SCID Awka. Let us have a fresh investigation into this matter,” she said.

According to Eleonu, the family’s demand was motivated by its desire for justice and not revenge.

“It is worthy to note that since this incident, the Commissioner of Police or the Deputy Commissioner of Police who is in charge of the State CID, homicide section, has not had any one-on-one briefing with the family. It is unusual,” Elepnu said.

The lawyer also alleged that the family of the primary suspect, who was released, had been engaging community leaders, including the Igwe and President-General of Alor community, over the matter.

She further alleged that the IPO accused the President-General of Alor community of sponsoring the case, describing the alleged remark as insensitive, particularly because Chiamaka was an orphan.

Eleonu appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to order the recusal of the IPO and disband the investigative team.

She also called for the rearrest of the primary suspect, identified as Chiamaka’s landlord, Mr Ogochukwu Ugoeze, pending the determination of the matter by a court.

“We are also asking that the primary suspect, who is her landlord, who was exonerated, Mr Ogochukwu Ugoeze, be rearrested pending the determination of the matter by the court,” she said.

Also speaking, Chiamaka’s aunt, Blessing Uche James, said the deceased had travelled to Alor to pursue her nursing education before the family received news of her death on June 14.

“She went to Alor to study nursing, only on the 14th of June that we heard the sad news,” she said, adding, “All I want is justice. I don’t have anybody. I am the only one that is taking care of her. She is an orphan.”

Chiamaka’s immediate elder brother, Ikenna Chilaka, described her death as an alleged murder and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to intervene.

“My late sister was allegedly murdered on the 14th of June 2026. I call on the Inspector-General of Police to come to our aid and order a proper investigation,” he said.

Chilaka also called for the rearrest of the prime suspect and other suspects, saying they should remain in police custody until a court determines their culpability or otherwise.

“I am not happy with the way the investigation has been going. We need justice,” Chilaka said.