Surveyor Appeals to Attorney-General Over Father’s Missing Corpse, Alleges Delta Police Involvement

Mr. Emmanuel Erhioyovwe Ighorhiohwunu, a professional surveyor from Nigeria, has formally lodged a complaint with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. He accuses three high-ranking police officials in Delta State of unethical behavior and obstructing justice in connection with an ongoing international legal dispute regarding the unexplained death and disappearance of his late father’s body.
In a letter dated October 15, 2025, which was also sent to the Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, Mr. Ighorhiohwunu named CSP Labe Joseph (DPO, Ekpan Division), CSP Omosetemi Agbede-Zuokumor (DPO, Ugborikoko Division), and ACP Aliyu Shaba (Area Commander, Okpara Inland, Ethiope East LGA) as the officers allegedly involved in actions that undermine the integrity of a case currently before the regional court.
The dispute, registered as Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/38/25 – Mr. Emmanuel Ighorhiohwunu & Anor v. The Federal Republic of Nigeria, centers on claims of ritualistic foul play leading to the death and disappearance of Mr. Joseph Ighorhiohwunu. The case also highlights concerns about an unauthorized burial ground located at No. 127 Urhugbe Street, Okpara Inland, within Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to the petitioner, his father died on November 21, 2024, following a short admission at Group Christian Medical Hospital in Effurun under suspicious medical conditions. Subsequently, the body was reportedly transferred to the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Effurun; however, a letter dated February 18, 2025, from the hospital denied any record of the remains being held there.
In response to the confusion, police units from Ekpan, Ugborikoko, and Ughelli divisions initiated investigations into both the cause of death and the missing corpse. Despite these efforts, nearly a year has passed without recovery of the body.
Mr. Ighorhiohwunu’s petition further alleges that certain parties have announced plans to conduct a burial on October 25, 2025, without the family’s approval. He accuses the police officers of “allowing and overseeing” the burial arrangements rather than securing the location and safeguarding potential evidence, describing these actions as deliberate obstruction of justice and misuse of authority.
The petitioner emphasizes that such conduct breaches Article 15 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, cautioning that Nigeria risks being held in contempt by the ECOWAS Court if these violations persist.
Supporting documents reveal that on September 16, 2025, Mr. Ighorhiohwunu and a co-applicant filed a Motion on Notice at the ECOWAS Court, requesting interim injunctions to prevent any burial or disturbance of the remains until a final ruling is made. A subsequent letter seeking a hearing date was submitted to the Chief Registrar on October 9, 2025.
In his appeal, Mr. Ighorhiohwunu called on the Attorney-General to:
– Launch a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct of the named police officers;
– Order the Inspector-General of Police to halt the planned burial immediately;
– Ensure Nigeria complies fully with its obligations under ECOWAS Court directives and international human rights laws.
He stressed that this case transcends a private family dispute, involving serious allegations of ritualistic homicide, unlawful handling of human remains, and deliberate interference with judicial processes.
At the time of reporting, neither the Delta State Police Command nor the Federal Ministry of Justice had provided an official statement addressing the accusations.