- His pregnant wife, who is a lawyer, confirmed the arrest
The Enugu State Police Command has reportedly arrested anti-corruption activist Charles Arukwe once again, in what is seen as an attempt to silence him after he exposed alleged police extortion involving senior officers within the command.
Arukwe, who was previously released from Enugu Custodial Centre on March 28 after being granted bail by the State High Court on charges related to forgery of a motorcycle sale agreement, was arrested on Thursday evening by over 10 policemen, allegedly from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
His pregnant wife, who is a lawyer, confirmed the arrest to SaharaReporters, stating that the police officers stormed their home in Awgu, Enugu State, around 5 PM. She said that despite her husband offering no resistance, the officers tortured and brutalized him while he was in handcuffs before taking him away.
She further alleged that after taking her husband, some of the officers returned to their home, forcibly broke down doors, and confiscated her laptop, academic certificates, and other valuables, including her phone, which they suspected might have been used to record the incident.
According to her, the officers did not provide any reason for the arrest, nor did they present a warrant, violating the Police Act which requires officers to inform individuals of the reason for their arrest and their destination.
She expressed concern that her husband, who is currently out on bail after spending over three months in custody on what she described as a trumped-up charge, is now detained by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, formerly known as the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The case that led to Arukwe’s initial arrest has reportedly been abandoned by the police, and they are still awaiting the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) report.