Kehinde Fajobi
Former Enugu Anti-Cultism Squad Inspector Joseph Ozonwanji was arraigned on Monday and remanded in prison custody over the alleged murder of Igbo ogene musician Okezie Nwamba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah.
Charged with murder under Enugu’s revised Criminal Code, Ozonwanji is accused of fatally shooting Nwamba with an AK-47 on October 25.
Arraigned at the Enugu East Magistrate Court before Chief Administrative Magistrate Ngozi Edeani, Ozonwanji’s dismissal from the police force had been recommended by Assistant Inspector General of Police Godwin Aghaulor following an orderly room trial.
The charge, CME/614/2024, reads, “That you Ozonwanji Joseph ‘m’ on 25th day of October 2024 at about 2010hrs at Anti-Cultism Police Squad, Goshen Estate Enugu in the Enugu North Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Okezie Chikezie Nwamba ‘m’ by firing him with an AK-47 Rifle, which caused his death and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2024.”
After hearing the charge, Magistrate Edeani ordered the transfer of the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice and remanded Ozonwanji at Enugu Maximum Correctional Centre.
Enugu Police Public Relations Officer DSP Daniel Ndukwe stated, “The arraignment today underscores our commitment to ensuring justice. Police are here to protect lives, and if an officer misuses his firearm, he faces the consequences. The Enugu State Government and police are fully dedicated to seeing justice served in this case.”
The state Attorney General, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, assured that his office would expedite action upon receiving the case file.