US Army Veteran Blames Systemic Corruption for Insecurity, Injustice in Anambra

By Mary Obi

A United States of America, US Army veteran and dual citizen has publicly accused the police and justice system in Nigeria’s Anambra State of systemic corruption, alleging they actively enable and protect violent criminal gangs responsible for kidnapping, assassination, and widespread insecurity.

Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna, a New York City-based human rights activist and veteran of the city’s child welfare services, originally from Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra, detailed his allegations at a press conference in the state capital, Awka, on Monday. His claims stem from a protracted and dangerous land dispute that began in 2021.

“My experience with insecurity in Anambra State and my long-standing struggle for justice opened my eyes to the fact that criminal activities here are not just tolerated but actively encouraged by law enforcement and some officials in government,” Ezekwenna stated.

His ordeal began on September 2, 2021, when he purchased an uncompleted property in Nnobi town. After paying ₦10 million via bank draft and performing a traditional ceremony, he began developing the land. He was then confronted by a individual who claimed to have purchased the same land earlier and demanded ₦20 million, threatening violence.

“He demolished my property and stole my building materials. He boasted that he is a native doctor who runs deadly shrines… and that he has the police from the local station up to the Inspector General in his pocket,” Ezekwenna recounted. His subsequent investigations led him to believe the man was part of a “heinous criminal syndicate” involved in “kidnaping, killing, and dismembering people.”

He reported the matter to the police, and a case was charged to court. However, Ezekwenna claims the pursuit of justice exposed a deep rot within the state’s institutions. He alleges that prosecutors in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice demanded bribes from him to properly handle the case.

“A prosecutor told me to act fast because the suspects had already offered him a large sum to ‘pervert justice’,” Ezekwenna said. He alleged the prosecutor demanded ₦1 million ($650 approx.). When he reported this to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he claims she told him to “settle” with the prosecutor, stating “that’s how things are done.”

Ezekwenna says he ended up paying over ₦400,000 to one prosecutor and an additional ₦150,000 to a second, to no avail. His criminal case was eventually struck out for “lack of diligent prosecution.” He also described multiple attempts on his life, including an alleged kidnapping attempt outside a courthouse.

He further accused the State Attorney General, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, of hostility when he raised his concerns. “She shouted at me and told me to stop complaining about her prosecutors,” he said.

Ezekwenna’s lawyer, Barr. Jude Obiora, corroborated the claims. “Something strange is happening in Anambra. The criminals operating in the state are not doing so alone; they are being enabled by corrupt law enforcement and judicial officers,” Obiora said, adding that he himself fears for his life.

In response, Attorney General Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje confirmed she reassigned Ezekwenna’s case after his initial complaint but denied any wrongdoing by her office. “I don’t know why he keeps going around bribing my staff and complaining about me. If he’s not satisfied, he should petition my principal—the governor,” she stated. She also warned journalists against publishing defamatory content.

Ezekwenna has appealed directly to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, to launch an urgent investigation into the Ministry of Justice, which he believes is a major cause of the state’s insecurity.

“No one is safe under an Attorney General who allows prosecutors to shield known criminals from justice,” he concluded.