The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dragged the owner of the Blue Shield Security Nigeria Limited, Ozo Heff Nwehe and nine others to the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State in connection with illegal possession of firearms.

Nweke was allegedly fingered as the sponsor of the nude women protest, in which protesters demanded for redeployment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, and one Inspector Monday Umana over failure to contain the lingering cult-related killings in Awka and its environs.

The Charge Sheet Number FHC/Awka/ 2023 between Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the ten defendants, reads: “That you (1) Jeff Bweke ‘m, (2) Dennis CHUKWUMA Okoli ‘m’ (, 3) Ozoemena Exekwusili ‘m’, (4) Nonso Chukwuemeka ‘m’ , (5) Echexona Beaobu ‘m’ , (6) Nwachukwu Thankgod, (7) Johnson Oluchukwu, (8) Eze Chukeunonso, (9) Olisa Uzowulu and (10) Nwadozi Chukwyemeka were found in procession of round of ammunition-prohibited firearm (pump action) on October 2023 without license granted to you. You thereby committed offence contrary section 8 and punishable under 27(1)(b)(11) of firearm Act CAP F28 law of the federation of Nigeria 2004.”

After the charges were read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty and the prosecution counsel, A.A. Nwano sought their detention in a correctional centre.

But the defence counsel, Ifeanyi Obiako (SAN) opposed the application and applied for their bail. But, the Presiding Judge, Nnamdi Dimgba directed the defence counsel to move for his bail application on Monday.

Justice Dimgba ruled that the defendants should be remanded in Awka Correctional Centre till December 5 pending when their bail applications can be heard.

MEANWHILE, the Police have cautioned the indigenes of Nsugbe and Umueri against taking laws into their hand but allow the course of justice to prevail as the government concludes its peace-building exercise in the communities.

At least two persons were feared dead, three missing and five injured following communal land dispute involving Nsugbe and Umueri towns both in Anambra East local council of the state.

The President-general of Nsugbe Development Union (NDU), Dr. Chinweze Ezeaagwu, called for thorough investigation to apprehend the culprits.

Similarly, a group of professionals under the aegis of Umunri Progressive Forum (UPF) Worldwide also lamented failure to give account for three missing members of Umueri community after a raid by Nsugbe youths who stormed the town over a disputed portion of land.