RismadarVoice Reporters
September 11, 2026
The family of late Chiamaka Chilaka, a nursing student in Anambra State, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order a fresh investigation into her death, alleging that she may have been murdered.
Chilaka, who was a student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, reportedly died on June 14, 2026, at a compound where she lived.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the family’s lawyer, Euphemia Eleonu, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Anambra State Police Command had handled the case.
Eleonu particularly questioned the release of Ogochukwu Ugoeze, whom the family described as a prime suspect, despite the alleged continuation of the investigation.
The lawyer also accused the investigating officer, Supol Nwaije Francis of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, and the head of the SCID Homicide Section, CSP Ayorinde David, of bias in the handling of the matter.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
According to Eleonu, the family had also not been formally briefed by the police on developments in the investigation since Chilaka’s death.
She therefore called for the withdrawal of the two officers from the case and the constitution of a new investigative team.
“In the interest of justice and to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” Eleonu urged the authorities to reassign the case to another investigating officer or team, citing what she described as demonstrated bias in favour of Ugoeze.
She further requested that the police provide Chilaka’s immediate family with an update on the investigation, subject to legitimate investigative confidentiality.
The lawyer also urged the authorities to ensure the proper preservation of all physical, forensic, documentary and electronic evidence connected to the case.
Eleonu stressed that any determination of criminal responsibility should be made by a competent court based on admissible evidence.
She cautioned against treating the matter as a media trial, insisting that the rights of both the deceased’s family and any suspects must be respected throughout the process.
The lawyer also called for Ugoeze and other suspects to be rearrested, arguing that the courts, rather than individuals or administrative authorities, should determine whether a suspect should be released or exonerated.
She said the family was seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding Chilaka’s death, including how she died, who may have been responsible and whether all reasonable investigative avenues had been explored.
Eleonu appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Government, prosecutorial authorities and the media to handle the case professionally and with sensitivity.
She expressed confidence that the Inspector-General of Police would intervene and direct a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
Chilaka’s elder brother, Ikenna Chilaka, also appealed to the police authorities to assist the family in obtaining justice.
He said the family had been deeply affected by the death and was dissatisfied with the progress of the investigation.
“I call on the Inspector-General of Police to come to our aid and help us find justice for my sister,” he said, while calling for all suspects to be properly investigated.
He added that the family was not satisfied with the manner in which the case had so far been handled.
