ENUGU, NIGERIA – Fresh developments have emerged in the case of Ekene Agala, the man who was brutally assaulted after being accused of stealing N2 million in Enugu State, as human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu says new information suggests the allegation against him may not be true.
The incident drew nationwide attention after a disturbing video circulated on social media showing Agala with a badly swollen face following the assault. Initial reports claimed the incident occurred elsewhere, but subsequent information indicated that it happened in Enugu State.
According to Gwamnishu, who has been following the matter, emerging facts point to Agala’s innocence. In a post shared on Sunday, June 28, 2026, the activist released photographs showing Agala before and after the attack, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers of reaching conclusions before the facts are established.
During the viral video recorded after the assault, Agala repeatedly denied stealing the money. He maintained his innocence and appealed to those accusing him to produce the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage they had claimed captured him committing the alleged theft. He also swore on the graves of his late parents while insisting he had committed no offence.
Providing an update on the case, Gwamnishu said the woman who initially made the allegation had reportedly admitted that no CCTV footage of the alleged theft exists. According to him, she instead claimed that a young child witnessed Agala taking the money.
The latest revelation has raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the accusation and the violent assault that followed. Extra News Nigeria could not independently verify the claims made by either party at the time of filing this report.
The incident has continued to generate widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians condemning mob violence and calling for proper investigations before individuals are publicly accused or punished. Human rights advocates have repeatedly warned against jungle justice, stressing that allegations of criminal offences should be handled by law enforcement agencies and determined through due process.
Legal experts have also maintained that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Cases involving mistaken identity and unverified accusations have, in the past, resulted in severe injuries and loss of lives across different parts of Nigeria.
The Enugu incident has renewed calls for security agencies to investigate both the alleged theft and the assault on Agala. Many Nigerians say the outcome of the investigation will be important in determining accountability and reinforcing the need to protect the rights of every citizen, regardless of the allegation against them.
