AN OPEN PETITION TO THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS), THE AKWA IBOM STATE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS, THE MEDIA, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
ALLEGED INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT, THREATS TO LIFE, AND ATTEMPTS TO UNLAWFULLY EVICT ME DESPITE A PENDING APPEAL
I write this open petition with a profound sense of responsibility and concern for the safety of my family and myself. This is not intended to prejudice any pending judicial proceedings, nor is it meant to malign anyone. Rather, it is a formal appeal for protection and an official record of events which, taken together, have caused me genuine apprehension.
Since October 2025, I have been involved in a tenancy dispute with my landlord, HON. NSIKAK UDOIBEH. The matter proceeded before the Rent Control Court, which delivered judgment against me on 31 March 2026. Dissatisfied with that judgment, I exercised my constitutional right of appeal to the High Court. Consequently, the matter remains the subject of judicial proceedings, while my tenancy is due to expire in September 2026.
Approximately two months ago, I received a deeply disturbing message from a young man who claimed that he had been approached by my landlord and offered money to carry out harmful acts against me. His exact words were:
“Someone asked me to do evil to you which i can’t do it, he is a rich man, money is involved, if you have any Court case with your landlord you’ve to know that he as gone extra miles to get you and your family destroyed. They love of money is the root of all evil!!! I have evidence with me.”
According to him, he was allegedly instructed to pour a dangerous substance around my doorstep. Alarmed by the allegation, I immediately informed several people, including the former Youth President of Ikot Ebido, Mr. Saviour, who personally contacted my landlord to inquire about the allegation. I also sent a text message directly to my landlord documenting the incident.
Because I considered the allegation serious, I further informed my co-tenants in writing so that there would be independent witnesses that I had raised the alarm long before any further incident could occur.
Today, 2 August 2026, I woke up to discover an unidentified white powdered substance spread across the frontage of my apartment. I also observed unusual materials near my entrance. I immediately photographed the scene and preserved the evidence. While I cannot state with certainty what the substance is or who placed it there, I find its appearance disturbing when viewed alongside the earlier allegation communicated to me by the young man.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am not alleging as an established fact that my landlord committed these acts. However, given the sequence of events, the pending tenancy litigation, the previous allegation made by an individual claiming to have been approached, and the fresh incident at my doorstep, I believe there are sufficient grounds for the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and professional investigation.
If these incidents are unrelated, an investigation will establish that. If they are connected, then appropriate legal action should follow.
I therefore respectfully call on:
The Nigeria Police Force to investigate these allegations and the unidentified substances found at my residence.
The Department of State Services (DSS) to assess whether there exists any credible threat to my life or that of my family.
Human rights organisations to monitor the situation and ensure that no citizen is subjected to intimidation or harassment for pursuing lawful judicial remedies.
Members of the public to regard this as a formal record of my concerns should any unfortunate incident occur.
Let me state unequivocally that I remain committed to the rule of law. My appeal before the High Court is the lawful avenue through which I seek redress. No person should be subjected to threats, intimidation, or acts capable of endangering life because of a civil dispute.
I therefore urge the appropriate authorities to investigate these allegations without fear or favour, in the interest of justice and the protection of human life.
Thomas Thomas, PhD
Concerned Citizen and Tenant
2 August 2026