Abuja, Nigeria — The daughter of renowned Nigerian businessman and owner of ABC Transport, Ihuoma Julia Nneji, has cried foul after being listed as “wanted” by the Nigeria Police Force without what she describes as due process. In a dramatic turn of events that has captured public attention, the 34-year-old alleges she was neither invited for questioning nor informed of any petition against her before her name appeared in an official police bulletin.
Over the weekend, Ms. Nneji was publicly listed in a Special Police Gazette Bulletin issued by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), based in Abuja. The bulletin cited allegations of criminal defamation, injurious falsehood, and cyberstalking—serious charges under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
However, in a press statement released on Sunday, Nneji denied any wrongdoing, stating that she had never defamed or blackmailed anyone, either through her verified social media channels or by any other means. Instead, she claims she is the real victim in a complex web of personal vendettas and malicious accusations allegedly orchestrated by her former fiancé, Mr. Henry Uzochukwu, who is also the petitioner in the case.
A Love Story Turned Sour
Recounting her version of events, Nneji explained that she met Uzochukwu in April 2024, and their relationship quickly became serious. Plans for marriage were underway, with a wedding scheduled for November 2024. However, according to her, things began to unravel by August, when she made the difficult decision to call off the wedding.
“I discovered deeply troubling information about Henry’s private life,” she stated. “There were serious concerns about his sexuality, and I found what I considered incriminating evidence suggesting he is gay. Given the nature of our relationship and our cultural context, I felt deceived and manipulated. I could not continue with the wedding.”
Nneji further revealed that her own investigations raised even more red flags. “I learned that Henry had previously been engaged multiple times, and each engagement had collapsed under mysterious circumstances. One of his former fiancées reportedly called off their wedding just a week before the ceremony — for the exact same reasons.”
Claims of Harassment and Threats
Following the cancelled wedding, Nneji alleges that Uzochukwu embarked on a campaign of intimidation and character assassination. According to her, he began harassing and threatening her, going so far as to accuse her of operating a fake Instagram page that purportedly spread damaging rumors about him.
“These accusations are completely false and speculative,” she said. “I have never run any anonymous social media accounts to malign anyone’s character. I believe these claims are a smokescreen intended to distract from the real issue and punish me for walking away from the relationship.”
Nneji said she was shocked to learn through media channels that she had been declared wanted by the police, emphasizing that no formal communication, invitation, or notification was sent to her prior to the public notice. “I am a law-abiding citizen,” she said. “Had I been properly informed, I would have presented myself to clear my name.”
Legal Battle Looms
Legal analysts say the case highlights growing concerns about the misuse of cybercrime laws in personal disputes. If the police bulletin was indeed issued without proper procedure, it could raise questions about due process and the integrity of law enforcement protocols in cybercrime investigations.
Meanwhile, supporters of Nneji have taken to social media to express solidarity, using hashtags such as #JusticeForIhuoma and #SayNoToVictimShaming.
Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the NPF-NCCC has issued an official comment regarding Nneji’s allegations at the time of this report. Attempts to reach Mr. Uzochukwu for a response have so far been unsuccessful.
As the legal wrangling continues to unfold, the case has cast a spotlight on the intersection of personal relationships, online speech, and criminal law enforcement in Nigeria’s digital age.
