The Anambra State Police Command has denied collecting N600,000 or any other payment from a suspect in connection with the investigation into the alleged murder of Awka-based Master of Ceremonies, MC Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as Aiza Nwosu.
Nwosu and another unidentified person were reportedly killed last week in separate incidents suspected to be linked to cult-related violence in Awka, the state capital.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, made the clarification on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka.
Ikenga challenged anyone alleging extortion or corruption by police officers in the case to provide credible evidence.
He said although police officers were not angels, the command neither demanded nor collected N600,000 or any other amount as a condition for Miss ChikNwosu’s release.
The clarification followed concerns raised by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), a human rights organisation, over Nwosu’s reported return to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu.
RULAAC had alleged that Nwosu contacted the organisation on September 6, claiming she was arrested on August 31 and detained for four days because police were searching for her brother, who was reportedly wanted over an alleged murder.
According to the group, N600,000 was allegedly paid on September 3 for her “administrative bail”, but no receipt was issued. It also claimed that her mobile phone was seized without a seizure form or property receipt.
RULAAC further said the Commissioner of Police had stated that Nwosu denied, in the presence of her lawyer, that N600,000 was demanded or collected from her.
The organisation subsequently demanded clarification on Nwosu’s whereabouts, legal status, place of detention and access to her lawyer and family after alleging that she had been rearrested.
Responding, Ikenga said the police were investigating the alleged cult-related murder of Aiza Nwosu and other killings in the area.
He said the investigation involved questioning individuals and examining circumstances that could help the police identify the perpetrators and locate the principal suspect, who remains at large.
According to the PPRO, Nwosu was rearrested after investigators obtained additional information suggesting that she may have had relevant contact with the principal suspect.
He said she was arrested and interrogated in the presence of her lawyer.
Ikenga said Nwosu had denied communicating with the principal suspect for more than five years, but information available to investigators indicated that communication had taken place between them on the night of the incident.
He said the communication under investigation included information relating to the victim’s death and an alert allegedly sent to the suspect that police were closing in on him.
“These were legitimate investigative issues that the police had a duty to clarify,” Ikenga said.
The PPRO, however, stressed that being invited, arrested or questioned in connection with an investigation did not amount to a declaration of guilt.
He said the command remained committed to due process and the presumption of innocence.
On Nwosu’s release, Ikenga said she was allowed to leave after offering to assist the police in locating and apprehending the principal suspect.
“Her release was therefore connected to the ongoing investigation and the need to explore every lawful means of bringing the principal suspect to justice,” he said.
Ikenga dismissed the allegation that money was paid for Nwosu’s release as an attempt to divert attention from the murder investigation.
“Police cannot be distracted in our investigation by diversionary tactics by accusing the police of collecting money for release,” he said.
He said the investigation remained ongoing, with communication between Nwosu and the principal suspect being treated as relevant to the case.
Ikenga said the command welcomed legitimate scrutiny from civil society organisations, human rights groups and the media on accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.
He, however, urged individuals and organisations alleging extortion, corruption or misconduct against police officers to provide credible and verifiable evidence.
The PPRO assured that the command would continue to investigate the case professionally and objectively, without fear or favour, with the aim of ensuring justice.
