Four men, including a recently dismissed police inspector, have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court 5 in Owerri, Imo State, over the alleged murder of Barrister George Chinedu Nwowu, a prominent Imo-based lawyer.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The suspects — Inspector Augustine Odidika, Uzoma Odidika, Amajuoyi Ireozor, and Azubuike Ireozor were charged with two counts: conspiracy to commit murder and the actual killing of Barr. Nwowu, contrary to Sections 324 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Imo State.
According to the charge sheet OW/334C/2025, the incident occurred on January 22, 2025, at Eluma Road, Owerri, where the defendants allegedly conspired and fatally shot Nwowu, who died from gunshot injuries.
During their arraignment on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the charge was read in both English and Igbo languages. Although the accused persons understood the charge, no plea was taken due to the Magistrate Court’s lack of jurisdiction over capital offences.
The defence counsel attempted to downplay the gravity of the charges, claiming the DPP’s original recommendation was to prosecute the defendants for “Threatening Violence,” a lesser offence. He also argued that the first defendant, Augustine Odidika, was still a serving officer and had not been properly dismissed from the police force.
However, the prosecuting counsel, CSP Itua Francis (O/C Legal, Imo Police Command), presented damning documents to the court, including:
- A Legal Opinion Letter from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) recommending charges of murder and conspiracy.
- Official records of an Orderly Room Trial culminating in the dismissal of Inspector Odidika.
- A dismissal approval letter from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 9, Umuahia, confirming the termination of Odidika’s appointment.
Following the presentation of these documents, the defence counsel dropped his objections, and the court ordered that all four defendants be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Owerri. The case was transferred to the DPP for advice and further directives, with an adjournment date set for July 31, 2025.
The murder of Barr. Nwowu had shocked the legal community and the broader public. He was reportedly trailed and killed while returning from work in January 2025. Prior to his death, Nwowu had written multiple petitions to the police, including one to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, alleging death threats from Inspector Augustine Odidika and his associates.
In one such petition dated weeks before the killing, Nwowu, through his lawyer N.C. Ogbonna, accused Odidika and his gang of:
- Threats to life,
- Acts of violence,
- Unlawful occupation of communal land,
- And attempts to destabilize the Umuokanumee Village in Mgbidi Autonomous Community, Oru West LGA.
Nwowu’s murder came amid a bitter land dispute in the community, in which the deceased had played a legal and administrative role as village secretary. The conflict had escalated over time despite court rulings favoring the community, with allegations that Odidika who once claimed to have a “killer squad” defied both court orders and police oversight.
Inspector Augustine Odidika had previously been linked to:
- POS extortion rackets by policemen in viral social media videos,
- Alleged plans to eliminate a pastor, Theodor Igweagbe, via local vigilante networks,
- And overstaying his leave in December 2024 to orchestrate the killing of Nwowu.
Despite these allegations, Odidika had continued serving in Nasarawa State before his arrest.
“History of Rivers State Judiciary: A Compendium of Personalities on the Bench.” Authored by Ampim Gogo Blankson, Esq., Deputy Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Rivers State Judiciary 💰 Cover Price: ₦20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) Bukky Law Books, Rivers State High Court Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt – 📞 08034868754📞 08034729738📞 Enquiries: ______________________________________________________________________ From Constitutionalism To Federalism And "Speaking Truth To Power": Get Your Copies Of Prof. Ozekhome's Books Tackling Nigeria's Critical Issues 
For Enquiries: 📞 +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532 ✉️ educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________Grab Your Complete Law Reports Now!!! IP, Company, Evidence & Land Cases - All Volumes With Digital Index!!!
To get a copy kindly Call 07044444777, 07044444999, 08181999888, https://alexandernigeria.com/ ______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
