Police Arrest Inspector, Three Others Over Murder of Imo Lawyer

The Imo State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a police inspector, in connection with the murder of Barrister Chinedu Nwowu in Mgbidi Town. The inspector, identified as Augustine Odidika, was taken into custody last Thursday, a day after the lawyer was killed.

According to Sahara Reporters, Odidika had previously threatened Nwowu’s life, prompting the lawyer to file a petition with the Assistant Inspector General of Police. The petition remained uninvestigated at the time of Nwowu’s murder.

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge, confirmed the arrests in a telephone interview on Tuesday. He stated that an NBA delegation met with the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, on Monday, urging the police to ensure justice. The police, in turn, assured the association of a thorough and impartial investigation.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner of Police revealed that the case had been transferred from the Mgbidi Police Division to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). He confirmed that efforts were underway to apprehend a warrant officer serving in Enugu, who has also been implicated.

Ihentuge expressed concerns that Odidika’s status as a police officer might be used to influence the case but stated that both the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police assured the NBA that justice would be served regardless of the suspects’ positions. He emphasized that the NBA would cooperate fully with the investigation and, if necessary, provide financial support to ensure a thorough inquiry.

The NBA chairman also highlighted a troubling trend of violence against lawyers in Imo State, revealing that four legal professionals had been killed in the past two years. He recalled a previous incident where a customary court chairman was murdered in court, leading to a protest by the NBA.

Regarding potential motives behind Nwowu’s killing, Ihentuge said the NBA would wait for police findings rather than speculate. He reiterated that the petition Nwowu filed before his death accused Odidika of making death threats, raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the lawyer’s murder.

The NBA at the national level has also shown keen interest in the case, with its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, closely monitoring developments.