By Vincent Ujumadu
AWKA — The Anambra State Police Command has denied collecting N600,000 or any other money 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, and another unidentified victim.
The victims 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, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, made the clarification yesterday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka, challenging anyone alleging extortion or corruption against police operatives to provide credible evidence.
Ikenga said that although police officers were not angels, the command neither demanded nor collected N600,000 or any other amount as a condition for the release of Miss Nwosu.
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, RRS, Awkuzu, amid allegations that N600,000 had earlier been paid for her release.
RULAAC had, in a statement, said Nwosu contacted the organisation on September 6, alleging that she was 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.
According to the organisation, Nwosu also alleged that N600,000 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 had stated that Nwosu denied, in the presence of her lawyer, that N600,000 was demanded or collected from her, adding that the position appeared to contradict her earlier communication with the organisation.
The group also alleged that Nwosu was subsequently rearrested and demanded clarification on her whereabouts, legal status, place of detention and access to her lawyer and family.
Responding to the allegations, Ikenga said the command was investigating the alleged cult-related murder of Aiza Nwosu and other killings in the area.
He said the investigation involved examining individuals and circumstances that could assist the police in identifying the perpetrators and locating the principal suspect, who remained at large.
According to him, Miss Nwosu was rearrested after investigators obtained additional information concerning her alleged involvement in the matter.
He said she 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 communicating 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 allegedly sent 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 PPRO, 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 released, Ikenga said she was allowed to go 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.
He said: “Police cannot be distracted in our investigation by diversionary tactics by accusing the police of collecting money for release.”
The PPRO said the investigation remained ongoing, adding that the command had identified communication between Nwosu and the principal suspect as relevant to the case.
He said the police welcomed legitimate scrutiny from civil society organisations, human rights groups and the media, particularly on issues of accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.
Ikenga, however, urged individuals and organisations alleging extortion, corruption or misconduct against police officers to substantiate such claims with credible and verifiable evidence.
He assured that the command would continue to pursue the investigation professionally and objectively, without fear or favour, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that justice was served.
The post Police deny N600,000 bail payment over Awka MC’s murder appeared first on Vanguard News.