Police sack, arraign Inspector Ozonwanji for Enugu musician’s murder
Inspector Ozonwanji
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed Inspector Joseph Ozonwanji following his involvement in the killing of popular Enugu Ogene musician, Chikezie Okezie Nwamba, and has proceeded with his arraignment in court.
According to a statement issued by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Police Command, the dismissal followed an orderly room trial which found Ozonwanji culpable for the murder of Nwamba.
He faced the maximum penalty of dismissal and subsequent prosecution in accordance with the Police Act and Regulations of 2020.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, overseeing Anambra and Enugu State Commands, approved the recommendations for the officer’s dismissal and court prosecution.
Following his dismissal, Ozonwanji was arraigned at the Enugu East Magistrate Court on October 28, 2024, on murder charges.
At the hearing, the Chief Magistrate ordered Ozonwanji’s remand in the Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre.
The case file has been sent to the Attorney General of Enugu State for further legal proceedings, and the trial is set to resume on November 12, 2024.
Expressing condolences, Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu extended sympathies to Nwamba’s family, friends, and fans.
He also thanked the Enugu State government and the public for their support in the matter, reiterating the police force’s commitment to accountability and discipline.
The popular Igbo musician, widely known as Igbo-Jah, was shot dead by the police inspector in Enugu at the weekend.
According to police reports, Igbo-Jah had just concluded a friendly visit to the Tactical Squad when, under still unclear circumstances, a police officer discharged his weapon, fatally wounding the musician.
He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
His remains had been sent to the mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, condemned the incident, ordering a comprehensive investigation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
