…Gov Mbah awards scholarships to Igbojah’s children
…We’ll prosecute expeditiously and diligently– Attorney-General
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph, the officer implicated in the murder of Enugu Ogene music legend Chikezie Okezie Nwamba, popularly known as Igbojah.
The Enugu State command has also brought the officer before the Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Enugu East, A.N. Edeani, where he faces a one-count murder charge.
According to the charge sheet, with reference number CME/614/2024, it states: “That you, Ozonwanji Joseph, ‘m’, on the 25th day of October 2024 at around 2010hrs at the Anti-Cultism Police Squad, Goshen Estate, Enugu, in the Enugu North Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Okezie Chikezie Nwambah ‘m’, aka ‘Igbo-Jah’, by shooting him with an AK-47 rifle, causing his death and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
After hearing the charge, Chief Magistrate Edeani instructed that the case file be forwarded to the state’s Attorney General for further guidance and subsequently adjourned the matter until November 12, 2024, for a continued hearing.
In a briefing after the court session, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, stated that following the officer’s arrest and a thorough, orderly room trial, he was found guilty of murder, a serious criminal offence.
Ndukwe further noted that the officer presiding over the orderly room trial recommended both dismissal and prosecution, which has now been executed.
“The Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 13, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, has approved his dismissal, and as of today, he is no longer a police officer and will face criminal charges and the consequences of abusing his powers,” Ndukwe added.
He also mentioned that the suspect does not deny firing the fatal shots and urged the public to remain calm, assuring them that the Command, with the support of the Enugu State Government, will take all necessary steps to ensure justice is served.
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 very much determined to see to the very 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 import he places on it. And I will do exactly that. We will prosecute diligently and expeditiously,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah has announced the award of scholarship up to 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, 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 is going to take care of the welfare of Mrs Igbo-Jah going forward.
This is a calamity to everybody, who loves Enugu State and who is an indigene of Enugu State. The Enugu state government is on top of the matter and they are going to make sure that justice prevails in this matter.
“With me here are the children of the late IgboJah, 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.
