Police Arrest Inspector And Three Others Over Killing Of Imo Lawyer, Chinedu Nwowu

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 arrested officer, identified as Inspector Augustine Odidika, was taken into custody last Thursday, a day after Nwowu was brutally killed. Reports indicate that Nwowu had previously petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police over death threats allegedly made by Odidika, but the petition remained unaddressed before the tragic incident.

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge, confirmed the arrests in a telephone interview with SaharaReporters on Tuesday. He revealed that the NBA delegation met with the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, on Monday to demand justice for their slain colleague.

“During the meeting, the Bar leaders urged the Police to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. They assured the Police of the willingness of the Bar to collaborate and support the ongoing investigation,” Ihentuge stated.

The police informed the delegation that the case has been transferred from the Mgbidi Police Division to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Deputy Commissioner of Police disclosed that four suspects, including Inspector Odidika—who is also the deceased’s kinsman—had been arrested, while efforts were underway to apprehend a warrant officer serving in Enugu, who has been implicated in the case.

The police assured the NBA of an impartial and thorough investigation, stating that the involvement of a serving police officer would not obstruct the pursuit of justice.

The NBA expressed deep concern over the rising cases of lawyer killings in Imo State, revealing that at least four legal practitioners have been murdered in the past two years. The association vowed to closely monitor the case and support the police in ensuring justice is served.

NBA national leadership has also taken interest in the case, with President Mazi Afam Osigwe actively following up on the investigation. Ihentuge emphasized that the association would not hesitate to provide financial support if necessary to ensure a proper investigation.

While the motive behind Nwowu’s murder remains unclear, the NBA urged against speculation, stressing that a full police investigation would reveal the truth.