By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has said it has arrested no fewer than 12 persons in connection with the alleged murder of Awka-based comedian and town crier, Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as Aiza Nwosu, as well as other cult-related killings in Awka, the state capital.
The command, however, denied allegations that its officers collected ₦600,000 to secure the release of Miss Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer, saying her arrest and subsequent release were linked to an ongoing investigation into the murder case.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, made the clarification on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka. He dismissed the allegation as false and challenged anyone alleging extortion or corruption against the police to produce credible evidence.
Ikenga said, “We are not a collection of angels, but the Anambra State Police Command did not demand or collect ₦600,000, or any money whatsoever, as a condition for Miss Nwosu’s release.”
The clarification followed an earlier alarm raised by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) over the whereabouts and safety of Nwosu after her reported return to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, amid controversy over an alleged ₦600,000 payment for her earlier release.
RULAAC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said Nwosu contacted the organisation on September 6, alleging that she had been arrested on August 31 and detained for four days because the police were looking for her brother, who was reportedly wanted in connection with an alleged murder.
She also allegedly told the organisation that ₦600,000 was paid on September 3 for her “administrative bail”, but that no receipt was issued, while her mobile phone was allegedly seized without a seizure form or property receipt.
The organisation further alleged that the Commissioner of Police told it that Nwosu had denied, in the presence of her lawyer, that ₦600,000 had been demanded or obtained from her. RULAAC said this contradicted her earlier written communication to the organisation.
RULAAC also alleged that Nwosu had been rearrested and demanded disclosure of her whereabouts, legal status, place of detention and access to her lawyer and family. It warned that it would escalate the matter to relevant police oversight and human-rights authorities if the issues were not clarified.
Responding to the allegations, however, Ikenga said the command was investigating the alleged cult-related murder of Aiza Nwosu and other cult-related killings in the area.
He said that, in the course of the investigation, the police were examining individuals and circumstances that could assist in identifying the perpetrators and locating the principal suspect, who remained at large.
Ikenga said Nwosu was rearrested following additional information concerning her alleged involvement in the matter.
According to him, Miss Nwosu was arrested and interrogated in the presence of her lawyer after investigators received information they considered relevant to the case.
Ikenga said although Nwosu denied having communicated with the principal suspect for more than five years, information available to investigators indicated that there had been communication between her and the suspect on the night of the incident.
He said 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,” he said.
The police spokesman, however, stressed that being invited, arrested or questioned in connection with an investigation did not amount to a declaration of guilt, adding that the command remained guided by due process and the presumption of innocence.
On why Nwosu was eventually released, Ikenga said she was allowed to go after offering to assist the police in locating and apprehending the principal suspect, who remained at large.
“Her release was therefore connected to the ongoing investigation and the need to explore every lawful means of bringing the principal suspect to justice,” Ikenga said.
The PPRO said the allegation that money was paid for Nwosu’s release was an attempt to distract investigators from the murder investigation.
“The police cannot be distracted in our investigation by diversionary tactics by accusing the police of collecting money for release,” he said.
Ikenga also referred to Section 83 of the Criminal Code of Anambra State, which he said provides for liability where a person becomes an accessory after the fact to a felony.
He added that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law provides the legal framework for bail and criminal proceedings, stressing that the police would continue to discharge their investigative responsibilities within the law.
Ikenga reiterated that no ₦600,000 was demanded or collected from Nwosu for her release and that her arrest was linked to the ongoing investigation into the Awka cult-related murder.
He said the investigation had identified communication between Nwosu and the principal suspect as relevant to the case, while her release followed her offer to assist the police in locating the suspect.
He said the investigation remained ongoing.
The police spokesman said the command welcomed legitimate scrutiny from civil society organisations, human-rights groups and the media, particularly in promoting accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.
He nevertheless urged individuals and organisations alleging extortion, corruption or misconduct against police officers to substantiate their claims with credible and verifiable evidence.
“As the law recognises, he who alleges must prove,” Ikenga said.
He assured that the command would continue to pursue the investigation professionally and objectively, without fear or favour, with the ultimate objective of ensuring that justice was served.
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