Court charges trio of Anambra law enforcement officers with unlawful possession of guns

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The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 13 Command, Ukpo, Anambra State, on Friday arraigned three members of the Agunechemba local security outfit before the Federal High Court I, Awka, over alleged illegal possession of firearms.

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The defendants, attached to the Onitsha South Local Government Area, were charged with unlawful possession of three pump-action rifles, described as prohibited firearms, without a valid licence, an offence said to be contrary to Section 3 and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

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According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent, the charges were dated April 16, 2026, while the defendants were brought before the court on Friday, May 15, 2026.

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The charge sheet, with Suit No. FHC/AWK/C/73C/2026, listed the Inspector-General of Police as complainant and named the defendants as Echezona Ezeonyejekwe, Sunday Azuma and Chinedu Nwakwo.

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One of the counts read: “That you, Echezona Ezeonyejekwe (M), Sunday Azuma (M), Chinedu Nwakwo (M), and others now at large, between September 9, 2025, and April 14, 2026, at No. 93 Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did unlawfully possess three pump-action rifles, being prohibited firearms, without licence duly granted to you, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

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Another count alleged conspiracy to commit malicious damage contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38.

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The charge further stated, “That you, Echezona Ezeonyejekwe (M), Sunday Azuma (M), Chinedu Nwakwo (M), and others now at large, on the same dates and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while acting in concert and armed with guns, machetes, hammers, and other dangerous weapons, wilfully and unlawfully destroyed three buildings valued at N700 million, property belonging to Sabest Uzor, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451(b) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

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After the charges were read, the defendants were remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending further hearing.

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Meanwhile, the Onitsha South Local Government Area accused the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 13 Ukpo, of undermining the Anambra State Homeland Security Law by arresting and charging the operatives.

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In a statement titled “Police actions undermine Anambra Homeland Security Law,” the Secretary of Onitsha South LGA, Paul Onuachalla, said the operatives were lawfully deployed.

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He said, “The attention of the Onitsha South Local Government Area had been drawn to recent developments involving the Commander of the State Agunechemba Security Outfit, popularly known as Udo Ga-Achi, in Onitsha South, Echezona Ezeonyejekwe, alongside two other operatives who were recently charged and remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre.

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“For the record, Ezeonyejekwe and the two other operatives were lawfully deployed to provide security at the Council’s Fire Service Station located along Silas Works Road, Woliwo, Fegge, Onitsha, a facility currently under construction.”

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He said the council was concerned over what it described as the decision of Zone 13 Police Command to arrest and arraign the operatives while on official duty.

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He added that the defendants were not served with the charges before being brought to court, and that police bail was secured through the local government.

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Onuachalla further stated that the police allegedly refused to consider explanations regarding the operatives’ official roles and proceeded with prosecution, including opposing bail applications.

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He called for intervention from relevant authorities, saying the development was inconsistent with the state’s homeland security framework.

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