The family of late Chiamaka Chilaka, a student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The family alleges that foul play may have been involved in the Anambra nursing student’s death. They expressed dissatisfaction with the way the Anambra State Police Command has handled the investigation.
Chilaka reportedly died on June 14, 2026, at a compound where she lived in Anambra State. While the exact circumstances of her death remain under investigation, her family believes authorities should conduct a more thorough inquiry to establish what happened.
The family made the demand during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. Its legal representative, Euphemia Eleonu, said the family had lost confidence in the current investigation and wanted a new team to take over the case.
She also raised concerns about the release of a prime suspect, Ogochukwu Ugoeze, while the investigation was allegedly still ongoing.
Family Questions Police Handling of Investigation
Eleonu accused the investigating police officer, Supol Nwaije Francis of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, of showing bias in the case. She also raised concerns about his immediate superior, CSP Ayorinde David, who heads the Homicide Section of the SCID.
The lawyer alleged that the conduct of the officers had raised questions about the integrity of the investigation. However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and neither the officers nor the Anambra State Police Command was quoted in the statement provided by the family.
According to Eleonu, the family has also not received a detailed briefing from the police about the progress of the investigation since Chilaka died.
She said the family had previously written to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State on July 21, 2026. The letter was reportedly acknowledged by the command on July 27.
The family is now asking for the investigating officer and his team to step aside. It wants another team to take over the case and review the evidence gathered so far.
The demand comes amid wider concerns about investigations into alleged criminal activities across the country.
Lawyer Demands Fresh Probe Into Anambra Nursing Student’s Death
Eleonu said the family wanted the police to establish the facts. The facts surrounding the Anambra nursing student’s death without prejudice or outside influence.
She argued that the investigation should not favour any individual and that all available evidence should receive proper attention.
“In the interest of justice and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we respectfully request that the following steps be taken,” Eleonu said.
She specifically called for Supol Francis to recuse himself from the matter, alleging that he had shown bias.
The lawyer also asked the police to assign the matter to another investigating officer or team. According to her, a fresh team would help restore the family’s confidence in the investigation.
The family has also requested regular updates from the police. Eleonu said authorities should brief Chilaka’s immediate family on the status of the investigation, subject to legitimate investigative confidentiality.
She further urged investigators to preserve all physical, forensic, documentary and electronic evidence connected to the case.
According to the lawyer, proper chain-of-custody procedures must apply to all evidence collected during the investigation. She said this would help protect the integrity of any evidence eventually presented before a court.
Family Calls for Evidence to Be Properly Preserved
The family believes the investigation should cover every reasonable possibility surrounding Chilaka’s death.
Eleonu urged the authorities to preserve evidence that could help determine what happened before, during and after the nursing student died.
She said physical evidence should receive the same attention as forensic and electronic evidence. Investigators should also document relevant information properly and maintain the chain of custody.
The lawyer stressed that the family was not asking the police or the media to convict anyone without evidence.
Instead, she said the family wanted the police to conduct a credible investigation and allow a competent court to determine criminal responsibility.
“Ultimately, the question whether any person is criminally responsible for Chiamaka’s death should be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction on admissible evidence,” Eleonu said.
She added that the process should follow the Constitution and should not become a media trial or an administrative process.
The family’s position is that anyone suspected of involvement should face the proper legal process. At the same time, no suspect should be treated as guilty before a court establishes criminal responsibility.
Family Wants Suspect Rearrested
The lawyer also called for Ugoeze to be rearrested as part of the family’s demand for a fresh investigation.
Eleonu argued that suspects should not be declared guilty or innocent outside the judicial process. She said the police should allow the courts to determine whether any suspect should remain in custody or be released.
The request for a rearrest comes amid the family’s concern over the earlier release of Ugoeze.
The family believes the release should be reviewed as part of a wider investigation into the Anambra nursing student’s death.
However, the allegation against Ugoeze remains an allegation. There has been no conviction, and the available account does not establish that he committed any offence.
The family is therefore asking the police to reopen the matter rather than relying solely on conclusions reached during the earlier stage of the investigation.
Similar cases involving allegations of wrongdoing often require careful handling because investigators must protect evidence while also respecting the rights of suspects.
In a separate development, NNPC recently responded after authorities intercepted an oil tanker carrying 2,145kg of cannabis, highlighting how investigations can involve several stages before authorities reach a conclusion.
Family Says It Deserves Answers
The family said Chilaka’s death has left them devastated and searching for answers.
Her elder brother, Ikenna Chilaka, said the family wants authorities to establish exactly what happened to his sister.
He appealed directly to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and ensure that the investigation receives fresh attention.
“I call on the Inspector-General of Police to come to our aid, to help us find justice for my sister,” he said.
Ikenna also called for all suspects connected to the matter to be rearrested and kept in custody.
“The court is the only one that has the authority to exonerate or release anybody,” he added.
He said he was unhappy with the manner in which the investigation had progressed.
The family’s appeal now places pressure on the police authorities to review the case and address the concerns raised by Chilaka’s relatives.
Family Appeals to Inspector-General of Police
Eleonu expressed confidence that the Inspector-General of Police would intervene in the matter.
She called on the police leadership to direct the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to remove the current investigating officer and disband the existing investigative team.
“We have 99 per cent confidence in the IG to direct that the Police Commissioner of Anambra State Command directs that the IPO recuse himself and disband the entire team investigating this case,” she said.
The family wants a new team to examine the available evidence and determine whether investigators have pursued every reasonable line of inquiry.
The lawyer also appealed to the Anambra State Government and relevant prosecutorial authorities to approach the matter with professionalism.
She urged the media to report the case responsibly and avoid turning the allegations into a trial outside the courtroom.
The family’s demand comes at a time when several security and political stories continue to attract public attention across the country. For instance, tension recently followed allegations that suspected thugs prevented Peter Obi’s convoy from passing in Benue.
Lawyer Warns Against Media Trial
The family’s legal representative repeatedly stressed the importance of due process.
According to Eleonu, the objective should be to establish the truth rather than publicly convict any individual before the conclusion of an investigation.
She said the police should rely on admissible evidence and follow established procedures while investigating the circumstances surrounding Chilaka’s death.
The lawyer also called for restraint from all parties involved in the case. She urged authorities, the family and the media to avoid actions that could interfere with the investigation.
Her position is that a credible investigation should protect both the interests of the deceased and the rights of anyone accused of involvement.
The approach is particularly important because allegations of murder or foul play can have serious consequences for suspects, families and the wider community.
Meanwhile, investigations into other security-related incidents continue to generate public interest. The NDC recently condemned the alleged obstruction of Peter Obi’s visit to Yelwata in Benue, while authorities and political groups continue to respond to developments surrounding the incident.
Family Seeks Answers Over Chiamaka Chilaka’s Death
The central demand from Chilaka’s family remains a fresh and independent investigation.
The family wants investigators to establish how the nursing student died, what happened before her death, who may have been responsible and whether every reasonable investigative lead has been explored.
Eleonu said the family did not want to determine guilt themselves. Instead, they want law enforcement agencies to gather and preserve evidence so that a court can make the final determination.
The family also wants authorities to provide updates on the investigation while respecting legitimate confidentiality requirements.
The circumstances surrounding the Anambra nursing student’s death have therefore become the focus of the family’s appeal to the police hierarchy.
The case also highlights the emotional and legal difficulties families face when they believe the circumstances surrounding a loved one’s death remain unclear.
The family hopes that a fresh investigation will provide answers and establish the facts surrounding Chilaka’s death.
Call for Justice Continues
Chilaka’s family has now placed its request before the Inspector-General of Police, the Anambra State Government and other relevant authorities.
They are asking for a new investigative team, the preservation of evidence and a briefing on the progress of the case.
The family also wants authorities to review the decision to release a prime suspect and determine whether further action is legally justified.
However, the allegations made by the family remain unproven. The police investigation and any subsequent court proceedings will determine what happened and whether anyone should face criminal charges.
For now, the family says it will continue seeking answers over the death of the nursing student.
Ikenna Chilaka said the family remains devastated by the loss and wants the authorities to help them secure justice.
The family’s appeal to the Inspector-General of Police could now determine whether the investigation into the Anambra nursing student’s death will be reviewed and reassigned to another team.
