A group, CaringHeart Foundation, has raised the alarm over alleged plot to re-arrest the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Linus Okorie, and slam fresh charges against him, using government apparatus.
Okorie was taken away by gunmen on October 17 while driving out of his Abakaliki home, heading for Onicha Local Government, where he was to meet his supporters.
His whereabouts were uncertain throughout that day until news filtered in the next day that he was allegedly arrested by members of the Ebubeagu security outfit, in liaison with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), over alleged illicit drug dealings.
But the NDLEA State Commandant, Iyke Uche, denied knowing the whereabouts of the senatorial candidate, saying the agency neither met him nor arrested him.
However, Ebonyi Police Command, same day, said the LP chieftain was arrested on the grounds of illicit drug involvement.
It said he was not kidnapped.
Okorie has been in detention at the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) for the past one month.
The accusation is coming on the heels of the intrigues that played out within and outside the Federal High Court, Abakaliki premises, last week, when he appeared for hearing on his bail application by his counsel.
It was reported that when the detained LP chieftain was taken back to the prisons custody, the Service’s vehicles were allegedly intercepted at PRESCO Flyover and later at Udensi Roundabout, in Abakaliki metropolis, by men of the Ebubeagu security outfit.
Ebubeagu commander in Ebonyi State, had since last week, denied the allegation, describing it as unfounded.
But sources said it took the intervention of men of the Department of State Services to let the vehicles conveying the suspect and the prisons warders off the hook of the state security outfit.
This latest allegation is contained in a statement issued by the foundation’s Director, David Ogbonna, alleging that the suspect was no longer safe at the NCS prison custody.
Okorie is set to appear in court again today for hearing on the bail application, after the case was adjourned last week.
Reacting, Governor David Umahi described the allegation as laughable and baseless, saying he didn’t need underhand tactics to defeat Okoro at the polls next year.
His Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Chooks Okoh, spoke yesterday.
He said: “It is laughable to say Governor Umahi is unpopular in Ebonyi South. Very laughable. Which politician, living or dead, can point to his or her achievements in the zone or state more than Umahi? Campaigns are based on antecedents of the players.
“What will any other contender point to as achievement placed side by side with Umahi? He does not need underhand tactics to win an election that is already his. As for the case of the Labour Party candidate, I certainly cannot comment on a matter that is clearly sub judice. It is before several courts. As for the senatorial seat, Umahi’s achievements will take him there.”
The police command could not be reached for comment at press time.
Police Commissioner C.P. Aliyu Garba told our correspondent that he was in a meeting.
