A police inspector, Ozonwanji Joseph, has been dismissed from the force and arraigned for killing an Enugu-based musician, Chikezie Okezie Nwamba.
In a statement on Monday, the state police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said the decision was made after the conclusion of an orderly trial which found the officer culpable for the murder.
It read, “The Enugu State Police Command informs the public that the orderly room trial of Police Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph, implicated in the murder of Ogene musician Chikezie Okezie Nwamba, has been concluded.
“The inspector was found culpable and received the maximum penalty of dismissal, followed by court prosecution in line with the Police Act and Regulations 2020.”
According to the statement, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, covering Anambra and Enugu States’ Commands, approved the recommendations from an orderly trial to dismiss and prosecute the inspector in court.
“Hence, he has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and was today, October 28, 2024, arraigned at the Enugu East Magistrate Court for the offence of murder.”
“The chief magistrate ordered the remand of the former officer in the Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre and the transmission of the case file to the Attorney General of Enugu State for further judicial action. The trial was adjourned to November 12, 2024.”
The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, reemphasised that the force remains a disciplined government agency. He assured that under his leadership, the command will continue to hold all erring officers accountable for their actions.