By Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday said it has arrested more than 12 suspects allegedly linked to the murder of Awka-based public announcer, comedian and town crier, Chief Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as Aiza Nwosu, as well as other cult-related killings in Awka, the state capital.
Among those arrested was his niece, Miss Chikamso Jennifer Nwosu, while his nephew, Mr Kenechukwu Nwosu, remains at large and is also being investigated in connection with the murder.
The command, however, denied allegations that its officers collected ₦600,000 to secure Jennifer Nwosu’s release, saying her arrest and subsequent release were connected to the ongoing investigation into the murder case.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga(SP), made the clarification during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka.
Ikenga explained that Kenechukwu Nwosu, who is at large, is also a suspect in the murder case
He said Jennifer Nwosu was arrested because of information concerning the role she allegedly played in the course of the investigation.
According to him, during interrogation, Jennifer Nwosu initially claimed that she had neither seen nor spoken to her brother in the past five years.
However, investigators subsequently discovered that she had communicated with Kenechukwu on the night of Aiza Nwosu’s murder.
“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 said.
He further explained that Jennifer Nwosu was subsequently released after offering to assist the police in locating and apprehending the principal suspect, who remains at large.
Ikenga also noted that the command was 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.