The Anambra State Police Command has arrested at least 12 people in connection with the killing of popular 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 also denied allegations that its officers collected ₦600,000 to secure the release of Nwosu Jennifer, said to be the sister of one of the suspects.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made the clarification during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka on Wednesday.
Ikenga said Jennifer’s arrest and subsequent release were connected to an ongoing investigation into the murder, dismissing allegations of extortion and corruption as false.
He challenged anyone making such allegations against the police to provide credible and verifiable evidence.
The controversy followed an earlier complaint by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, over Jennifer’s whereabouts and safety after she was reportedly returned to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu.
RULAAC had alleged that Jennifer contacted the organisation on September 6, claiming she was arrested on August 31 and detained for four days because the police were searching for her brother, who was allegedly wanted in connection with a murder.
According to the organisation, Jennifer also alleged that ₦600,000 was paid on September 3 for her “administrative bail”, but that no receipt was issued. She further alleged that her mobile phone was seized without a seizure form or property receipt.
RULAAC said the Commissioner of Police later told the organisation that Jennifer had denied, in the presence of her lawyer, that ₦600,000 was demanded or collected from her.
The organisation said the denial contradicted Jennifer’s earlier written communication and raised concerns over her reported rearrest.
However, Ikenga said the command had responded to the issues raised by RULAAC and maintained that no money was demanded or collected for Jennifer’s release.
“Let me state this clearly: the Anambra State Police Command did not demand or collect ₦600,000, or any money whatsoever, as a condition for Miss Nwosu’s release,” he said.
According to the police spokesperson, the command was investigating a cult-related murder in Awka and was examining individuals and circumstances that could help identify the perpetrators and locate a principal suspect who remains at large.
Ikenga said investigators discovered communication between Jennifer and the wanted suspect on the night of the incident, despite her initial denial that she had communicated with him for more than five years.
He said the communication under investigation included information concerning the victim’s death and an alert to the suspect that the police were closing in on him.
The police spokesperson explained that Jennifer was eventually released after offering to assist investigators in locating and apprehending the suspect.
“The command has so far arrested no fewer than 12 persons in connection with the killing of the late Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as ‘Aiza Nwosu’, as well as other cult-related killings in Awka,” Ikenga said.
He also cited 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.
Ikenga added that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law provides the legal framework for bail and criminal proceedings, stressing that the police would continue their investigations within the law.
“The Command wishes to make these points unequivocally clear that no ₦600,000 was demanded or collected for Miss Nwosu’s release. Her arrest was connected to an ongoing investigation into a cult-related murder in Awka,” he said.
He urged individuals and organisations accusing the police of extortion, corruption or misconduct to provide credible evidence.
“As the law recognises, he who alleges must prove. The Anambra State Police Command will continue to pursue this investigation professionally, objectively and without fear or favour, with the ultimate objective of ensuring that justice is served,” he added.
The investigation remains ongoing.