Police begin internal trial of inspector who killed musician

Monday, October 28, 2024 – The Enugu State Police Command announced on Sunday that it has completed its investigation into the shooting and death of Chikezie Okezie Nwamba, a local Ogene musician known as Igbo-Jah.

The police command added that an orderly room trial of the killer inspector has commenced.

It also said that the Commander of the Anti-Cult Tactical Squad unit, SP Ekeleme Chidobe, has been redeployed to allow a thorough review of the operations of the unit.

Recall that on Saturday that the state police command had identified Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph as the policeman who shot and killed Igbo-Jah after he visited the Anti-Cult Tactical Squad Unit headquarters on Friday evening.

However, a statement on Sunday by the command's spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the police commissioner, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has again appealed to the residents of Enugu State to support the police.

He assured them that justice will be surely served in the murder of the musician.

"Following the tragic and unwarranted shooting and killing of Enugu-based Ogene musician, Chikezie Okezie Nwamba "m" (a.k.a. Igbo-Jah), the Enugu State Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) has concluded its investigation into the incident," the statement said.

"Consequently, the orderly room trial of the implicated Police Inspector, Ozonwanji Joseph, has commenced. This trial will facilitate the next course of action in accordance with the Nigeria Police Force’s disciplinary procedures.

"The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Officer in Charge of the Tactical Squad, SP Ekeleme Chidobe, to allow for a comprehensive review of the Squad’s operations.

"CP Kanayo reaffirms his commitment to ensuring that justice is done in the case and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism among all police officers in the State. 

"He calls on the citizenry to continue to keep the faith and support the police, especially in bringing this case to a justifiable conclusion."