The Anambra State Government has announced the conclusion of its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct brought forward by human rights lawyer and public commentator, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, against the governor’s Security Adviser, Ken Emeakayi. According to the government, the investigation found the claims to be false and misleading.
Read more: Anambra Exonerates Security Adviser of Sexual Misconduct AllegationsProf. Odinkalu had accused Emeakayi of engaging in an improper relationship with Mrs. Mmasi Nwangwu, the wife of detained native doctor Chukwudozie Nwangwu, also known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki. These allegations, made several weeks ago, sparked public debate amid the prosecution and conviction of Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, a media aide to the governor, stated that a fact-finding committee set up by the state government submitted its findings on May 11, clearing the Security Adviser of any wrongdoing.
The statement noted, “The Anambra State Government has concluded its investigation into allegations made by Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu against the Governor’s Security Adviser, Mr. Ken Emeakayi, and has found the claims to be false and misleading.”
The committee, chaired by the Attorney-General of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, and comprising senior lawyers from the Ministry of Justice, reportedly took evidence from all parties involved, including Mr. Emeakayi, Mrs. Nwangwu, and counsel representing Mr. Nwangwu. However, the government said that Prof. Odinkalu did not respond to multiple invitations to participate in the inquiry.
The report stated, “The committee issued several notices to Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, inviting him to respond via text or join a virtual or physical meeting to disclose the source of his information or provide evidence supporting his allegation. Prof. Odinkalu failed to honour any of the notices.”
After evaluating the testimonies provided, the committee found no evidence of any personal or improper relationship between Emeakayi and Mrs. Nwangwu and concluded that the allegations were unfounded.
The government reiterated its commitment to due process and the protection of public officials’ reputations from baseless accusations.
In response, Prof. Odinkalu rejected the committee’s findings, describing the inquiry as “an amateur cover-up” and maintaining that his allegations were valid.
On social media, he revealed that he had received WhatsApp messages on April 29 and May 1, allegedly from the Attorney-General, requesting that he disclose his sources and name the security adviser involved. Odinkalu questioned the legitimacy of the inquiry, expressing concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the panel’s composition and authority, and the use of WhatsApp for official communication.
He explained that he declined to engage with the inquiry due to doubts about the authenticity of the messages and the sender’s credentials. Odinkalu also criticized the government for eventually naming Emeakayi, calling the process a whitewash, and reaffirmed his stance on the allegations despite the committee’s findings.
