Murder of Anambra MC: Niece, 12 others arrested, nephew at large

NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA

Two weeks after popular Awka-based Master of Ceremony and celebrity, Mr Aiza Nwosu was killed by suspected cultists, his niece, Miss Jennifer Nwosu and 12 suspected cultists have been arrested by the Anambra Police Command while his nephew, Mr Kenechukwu Nwosu is at large.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who spoke to reporters in Awka, Miss Jennifer Nwosu was arrested earlier and was granted bail when she offered to assist in locating and apprehending the prime suspect at large.

Ikenga further explained that Miss Jennifer Nwosu’s brother Kenechukwu Nwosu who is at large is also being suspected in the murder adding that due to the role his sister played in the course of investigation, she was rearrested.

He explained that during the interrogation of Jennifer Nwosu claimed not to have seen or spoken to her brother in the last five years but it was discovered that on the day of the murder of Aiza Nwosu, she spoke to him (Kenechukwu) to inform him about the incident.

“The Command is investigating a cult related murder in Awka. As part of that investigation, the Police are examining individuals and circumstances that may assist in identifying the perpetrators and locating the principal suspect who remains at large.

“During interrogation conducted in the presence of her lawyer, Miss Nwosu denied communicating with the suspect for over five years.

“However, information available to investigators indicated that there was communication between her and the suspect on the night of the incident.

“The communication under investigation included information concerning the death of the victim and an alert to the suspect that the police were closing in on him.

“These were legitimate investigative issues that the Police had a duty to clarify.

“For clarity, being invited, arrested or questioned in connection with an investigation is not a declaration of guilt and the Command remains guided by due process and the presumption of innocence”.

Ikenga further explained that Miss Nwosu was subsequently released after offering to assist investigation in locating and apprehending the suspect at large.

He noted that the release of Jennifer Nwosu was therefore connected to the ongoing investigation and the need to explore every lawful means of bringing the principal suspect to justice.

Ikenga noted that, ” The Command is also mindful of section 83 of the Criminal Code of Anambra state which provides for liability where a person becomes an accessory after the fact to a felony.

“Similarly, the Administration of Criminal Justice Law provides the legal framework for bail and criminal proceedings. The Police will continue to exercise their investigative responsibilities within the law and will take necessary lawful steps where circumstances require further investigation,” he said.

Ikenga dismissed the allegation of Jennifer Nwosu that the sum of N600,000.00 was collected from her by the Police before she was released in reply to an allegation by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) adding that the Police cannot be distracted in its investigation by diversionary tactics by accusing the Command of collecting money for release.

Ikenga further stated that Miss Jennifer Nwosu was granted bail at the office of the Police Commissioner hence proving that no money was collected from her.

“We welcome scrutiny, but we also urge individuals and organisations making allegations of extortion, corruption or misconduct to support such claims with credible and verifiable evidence, ” he said.