The Citizens’ Solution Network (CSN) has petitioned the Cross River State Police Command over what it described as the unlawful detention of a young woman, Ms. Arit Etim Ukorebi, accused of stealing N16 million from her employer in Ikom Local Government Area of the State.

In a petition dated September 6, 2025 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Calabar, the civic organization demanded an impartial investigation into the matter, insisting that the suspect’s fundamental rights must be protected throughout the process.

According to the petition signed by its Country Director, Mr. Richard Inoyo, Ms. Ukorebi, a staff member of D’fun Enterprise in Ikom, was arrested after her employer, identified simply as Mrs. Funke, accused her of misappropriating company funds amounting to N16 million.

The group alleged that officers attached to Okuni Police Station, where the young woman is being held, have denied her access to her family members since her arrest last Friday.

It further claimed that she has been prevented from making phone calls or communicating with her relatives.

While acknowledging the weight of the allegations, CSN cautioned that investigations must be conducted in accordance with the law.

It stressed that subjecting the suspect to torture, intimidation, or degrading treatment would amount to a breach of her rights under the Nigerian law.

“We are asking that the young girl should not be tortured or brutalized in the name of investigation. We are calling on the police leadership to ask the personnel in Okuni Police Station to uphold the Anti-Torture Act of 2017,” the petition read in part.

The organization also urged the Commissioner of Police to intervene promptly to ensure that Ms. Ukorebi is granted access to her family, and that the case be handled in line with due process, rather than through arbitrary detention.

As of press time, the Cross River State Police Command had yet to issue an official response to the petition or to clarify the circumstances surrounding Ms. Ukorebi’s arrest and continued detention.

(The Guardian)

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