Politics
Ebonyi Police Says Labour Party Senatorial Candidate, Linus Okorie Was Arrested And Not Kidnapped
Ebonyi Police Says Labour Party Senatorial Candidate, Linus Okorie Was Arrested And Not Kidnapped
The Ebonyi command of the Nigeria Police Force says the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South in the 2023 elections, Hon. Linus Okorie was arrested and kidnapped.
Okorie represented Onicha, Ohaozara, and Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state at the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Saharaweekly reported earlier about the abduction of the former lawmaker who is contesting the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat along with the incumbent governor, David Umahi, who is in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His wife in a video posted on Twitter seen on Monday, had accused the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi and Ebubeagu security outfit of behind the disappearance of her husband.
Okorie was reportedly abducted on Sunday in Abakaliki, the state capital and since then his whereabouts have remained unknown.
According to family members, the police on Sunday denied having anything to do with Okorie’s disappearance.
However, in a sudden twist, the police on Monday morning claimed its personnel arrested the former lawmaker over drug-related matters and other offences.
A statement by the Command’s spokesman, SP Chris Anyanwu, said contrary to reports credited to one Dr David Ogbonna of Hon Linus Okorie Caringheart Foundation, purporting that Okorie was abducted on Sunday, the men of the Command swung into action and later traced the former lawmaker to the head office of the Ebube Agu Security Outfit at Old Government House in Abakaliki.
Anyanwu said the former lawmaker had before now ignored many police invitations and evaded arrests.
He said on getting to the office of Ebube Agu, the police were briefed on why Okorie was arrested, which includes his activities and utterances that allegedly incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha local government area of the state.
He said that according to the brief by operatives of Ebube Agu, his utterances allegedly led suspected operatives of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN) or unknown gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area, leaving seven persons dead at the end of the fracas.
Anyanwu noted that the case has now been taken over by the state police command for preliminary investigation, adding that Okorie was invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command on several occasions over a petition dated March 23, 2022, authored by the State’s Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice.
He said that the petition alleged that Okorie was spreading fake news against Governor Umahi, accusing him of illegally withdrawing N6.7 billion from state government’s account to fund the Appeal Court Judgment against his removal from office, among others
“Similar to the above is another series of false allegations against the Government of Ebonyi State and the Police Command in his social media handles.
“When invited by the SIB over the false allegations/petition, Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie in his characteristic pompous manner refused vehemently to report to the SIB for a chat. Rather he chose to file fallacious suits against the Police Command.
“It is also pertinent to mention that Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie also has a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki,” the statement partly read.
He said that the case was later transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further actions.
The statement further read, “CP Aliyu Garba, therefore, makes it categorically clear that Hon Okorie was neither abducted nor kidnapped and warns that people should desist from painting pictures of insecurity in the State by propagating unfounded rumours.
“Ebube Agu is a lawfully established local security outfit by the House of Assembly and Government of Ebonyi State and if the outfit as empowered by the State law, arrests anybody, it shouldn’t be interpreted as abduction or kidnapping.
“This is because those terms mean different things. However, it is expected that the outfit after effecting such arrest, should hand over the matter to the Police for further investigation and other necessary actions which have played out in this instance.”
The statement quoted the commissioner to have warned Ogbonna of Linus Okorie Caring Heart Foundation to henceforth know the implication of the wrong choice of words when next he dishes out information for public consumption, otherwise, he will face the consequences.
“The CP further reassures the good people of Ebonyi State that there is no cause for alarm and advises that everyone should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation,” he added.
it was however gathered that Umahi ordered the arrest of Okorie.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
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