Joseph Ozonwanji, an inspector who shot and killed Nigerian artist Chikezie Mba, has been fired by the Enugu State police.
Daniel Ndukwe, the Enugu State police spokesman, revealed this in a statement on Monday afternoon.
AFRIPOST had reported that Mba was shot and killed by a police inspector on Friday at the Enugu State Police Command’s Anti-Cult Unit.
The musician, popularly known as Igbo-Jah, attended an event at the police facility when operatives began shooting indiscriminately.
He was wounded by some gunshots and died while en route to a hospital.
According to the police, the inspector shot his firearm at the singer “for reasons yet to be ascertained” as he was leaving the institution following a “friendly” visit.
Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, stated in the statement that the police judged the inspector guilty during his orderly room trial and, hence, terminated him from duty.
“The inspector was found culpable and received the maximum penalty of dismissal, followed by court prosecution in line with the Police Act and Regulations 2020,” stated the deputy director.
According to the spokesman, the inspector’s firing became effective on Monday.
Ndukwe said that the inspector had been charged with murder in the Enugu East Magistrate Court.
“The chief magistrate ordered the remand of the former officer in the Enugu Correctional Custodial Centre and the transmission of the case file to the Attorney General of Enugu State for further judicial action. The trial was adjourned to 12 November 2024,” he said.
Ndukwe stated that the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has thanked the government, the people of Enugu State, and the inhabitants of the state for their assistance throughout the case.
Uzuegbu emphasised that the Nigerian police are still a disciplined organisation and promised that under his leadership, the State Police Command will continue to hold all erring personnel responsible for their acts.