A kidney transplant recipient, Ugochukwu Ibekwe, has alleged unlawful and prolonged detention by the police despite securing bail orders from two courts of competent jurisdiction.

In a petition filed through his counsel, Damian O. Okoro (SAN), Ibekwe accused the Head of Investigation, Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft and Sundry Energy Crimes in Port Harcourt, CSP Omar John Sini, of detaining him for over 65 days in connection with an alleged illegal bunkering case that has yet to be proven.

According to the petition, Ibekwe was first arrested on February 14, 2026, and has remained in custody under what he described as “oppressive and legally indefensible conditions,” despite the constitutional presumption of innocence.

The petitioner alleged that the initial administrative bail conditions imposed by the police were “draconian and unrealistic,” effectively ensuring his continued detention.

This prompted his legal team to seek enforcement of his fundamental rights at the Federal High Court, Umuahia Judicial Division, which subsequently granted him bail on liberal terms.

However, the petition stated that after meeting the bail conditions and securing his release on April 2, 2026, Ibekwe was immediately re-arrested at the detention facility gate by operatives of the same task force over fresh allegations of money laundering.

He further alleged that since the re-arrest, no formal charges have been filed in court regarding the new allegations, yet he has remained in detention.

The matter was again taken to the High Court of Rivers State sitting in Oyigbo, where Justice F.A. Fiberesima, in Suit No: OYHC/45/FHR/202, granted him bail on April 21, 2026, on what his lawyers described as “liberal and realistic terms.”

Despite the court order, Ibekwe alleged that the police have refused to release him, describing the development as a “flagrant disobedience of judicial authority” and a violation of his fundamental rights.

The petition, also copied to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the President, and the Senate President, accused the police of systemic abuse of power and actions capable of undermining the rule of law.

Ibekwe, who disclosed that he is a kidney transplant patient suffering from acute hypertension, expressed concern that his health has deteriorated significantly due to his continued incarceration without adequate medical care.

His legal team is demanding his immediate and unconditional release in compliance with court orders, as well as a disciplinary investigation into CSP Sini for alleged abuse of power and disobedience of lawful directives.

They also called for the suspect to be formally charged in court if any credible evidence exists, rather than being held indefinitely.

Responding to the allegations, CSP Omar John Sini confirmed awareness of the court orders but stated that he declined to comply with the second order based on advice from legal representatives indicating plans to appeal.

He also alleged that threats to his life from the suspect influenced his decision not to execute the court directive.