Rivers Police deny cover-up in BlackBox nightclub assault case involving CEO Christian Maduba, victims demand justice and public apology

BlackBox nightclub assault case has triggered public outrage following allegations that Rivers State Police were attempting to shield the accused, Christian Maduba, from prosecution.

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The incident, which occurred at a nightclub in Port Harcourt, involved three young women who claim they were brutally attacked after one of them rejected Maduba’s advances.

The accused, Maduba, is the Chief Executive Officer of Ceemore Group of Companies. According to the victims, he stormed their reserved table and allegedly ordered one of them to stop recording a dance video. When they declined his approach, the situation escalated into violence.

One of the victims, Anthonia Okoye, who had paid ₦200,000 for her birthday reservation at the club, claimed she was stripped naked and beaten until she lost a tooth. Her companions, Juliet Obasi and Jennifer Nnochiri, also sustained visible injuries.

“We were just there to celebrate,” said Okoye in a video shared online. “He stripped me and beat me like I was nothing.”

The police arrested Maduba on June 14 and arraigned him before a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court on a six-count charge that included assault, battery, and conspiracy to commit felony.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. The case has been adjourned until July 23.

As social media users accused the police of tampering with the case to protect the wealthy suspect, the Rivers State Police Command swiftly denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking to reporters, Police Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko insisted that the matter was already before the court and that the police had no intention of derailing the judicial process.

“The police cannot dabble in a case that has already gone to court,” she said. “We are professionals, we are not killing any case; the case is in court for onward prosecution.”

Iringe-Koko also defended the actions of the Divisional Police Officer who reportedly suggested an out-of-court settlement. According to her, he was only performing his role as a peace officer and did not coerce the victims into dropping the charges.

However, counsel to the victims, Cyrus Onu, expressed strong reservations about the police handling of the matter. He alleged that the original charge sheet had clerical issues which had to be corrected after the intervention of the Commissioner of Police.

Onu also accused the suspect of arrogance, stating that Maduba had refused to apologise or make amends.

“Ceemore seems to think he can get away with this because he has money,” Onu said. “He and his team have acted with impunity. What the victims want more than anything is a public apology.”

He also decried attempts to smear the character of the victims, stating that the women were professionals—a nurse, a lab scientist, and an event planner—who had gone out for harmless recreation.

“These girls were attacked and now they are being shamed online. This must not stand,” Onu added.

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Despite the controversy, the victims’ legal team remains confident that justice will be served. Civil society groups and public advocates continue to monitor developments as the July court date approaches, with many Nigerians calling for transparency and accountability in what has become one of the most high-profile assault cases in recent times.