The Nigeria Police, yesterday, arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, Police Inspector Joseph Ozonwanji, formerly of the Anti-Cultism Police Squad, Enugu, for the murder of an Igbo ogene musician, Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah, at the weekend.
His arraignment followed his orderly room trial and approval of his dismissal and arraignment by the assistant inspector general of police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Godwin Aghaulor.
The police prosecution was led by the officer-in-charge of the Enugu State Police Command, SP Justice Attah and Emmanuel Ajogwu.
The charge marked 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 AK47 Riffle, 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.”
Thereafter, the chief administrative magistrate, Enugu East Magistrate Court 1, Ngozi Edeani
ordered for the case file to be transferred to the Attorney-General of the State, and for the suspect to be remanded at the Enugu Correctional Centre.
Briefing newsmen after the arraignment, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the accused’s arraignment for murder was in keeping with the promise and determination of the Enugu State government and the police to ensure that justice was done in the matter.
“It is important to inform our people that the chief magistrate has listened to the charge brought against the dismissed police officer and has asked that the case file be transmitted to the attorney general of Enugu State to proceed from there and advise accordingly for the next line of action.
“This is one trial we want to see happen. We are talking about a human life. Police men generally have that responsibility to protect lives, but if, for whatever reason, any police officer misuses his firearm, the liability is on the person. That is exactly what has happened today. You could see the Enugu State Government and the police command in the state have done everything possible to ensure that justice prevails in this case,’ Ndukwe stated.
Speaking on the matter, the attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh, said his office would expect the file and act expeditiously.
“This is a matter His Excellency is determined to see to the end to ensure that justice is done to everyone involved. I also have his instruction to personally prosecute this matter as the Attorney General. This underscores the importance he places on it. And I will do exactly that. We will prosecute diligently and expeditiously,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah announced the award of a scholarship up to the university level to the three children of the deceased musician while also taking charge of the health of his sick wife.
This was announced by the commissioner for children, gender affairs, and social development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, during a visit to the home of the deceased by herself, the commissioner for culture and tourism, Dame Ugochi Maadueke, and the chairman of Enugu North LGA, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh, on Monday.
“The Governor, in his magnanimity has awarded scholarships to the children to university level. Secondly, the state will take care of Mrs Igbo-Jah’s welfare going forward.
“This is a calamity for everybody who loves Enugu State and is an indigene of Enugu State. The Enugu State government is on top of the matter and will make sure that justice prevails in this matter.
“With me here are the children of the late Igbo-Jah, and the governor has promised them that he is not only going to take care of them from now till university but also promised to take care of their welfare,” she stated.
