– PASTOR FRANK ONWUMERE, ONE OF THE ILLEGALLY SACKED LG CHAIRMEN HAS ALSO BEEN ARRESTED FOR NO KNOWN OFFENCE.
THE DUO OF MR. OJUKWU UKONU AND MR. CASMIR UGBO WERE ARRAIGNED BEFORE A MAGISTRATE THAT SAT IN THE PREMISES OF THE ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT.
WE APPEAL TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AND THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE TO INTERVENE.
This is to inform the general public that, the Government in Imo State, led by Governor Hope Uzodinma has begun the indiscriminate arrest of Senator Rochas Okorocha’s Political associates in the State, using the Anti-kidnapping Squad in the Police Headquarters.
The government had drafted a list of Okorocha’s Political family members and has written petitions against those in the list, claiming that, “they are those helping to disorganize the State government”. We are yet to know or to be told, what “Helping to disorganize the State government” is all about.
On Monday, May 17, 2021, by 9am, Police Personnel from the anti-kidnapping unit, stormed the House of another Okorocha’s Political Associate, Pastor Frank Onwumere, on the strength of the Petition written by the State Government and arrested him.
Pastor Onwumere was one of the illegally sacked Local Government Chairmen. He was the Executive Chairman of Okigwe LGA.
The arrest of Pastor Onwumere had come, three days after two members of Okorocha’s larger Political family, Mr. Ojukwu Ukonu and Mr. Camir Ugbo were arrested by the same anti-kidnapping team.
Meanwhile, the Police, today, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, could not arraign Messrs Ojukwu Ukonu and Casmir Ugbo, as earlier indicated after Lawyers for the two men had waited several hours. Which means, they would remain in detention, just to remove them out of circulation.
This is absurd. And the annoying aspect of this whole episode is that, the actors have forgotten that, what they can do as human beings are grossly limited. God has the final say.
Imo State, as we speak, does not seem to be the same Imo, that was created in 1976, which had, before now, remained peaceful, both during Military and Civilian administrations.
We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, to closely monitor what is happening in Imo. Arresting and detaining innocent Citizens for no known offence, do not add up.
President Buhari and the IGP should please save Imo from degenerating into a State where Political Power is unduly used to undo responsible Citizens. Politically motivated intimidation is foreign to Imo Politics. And one does not see it Succeeding now.
We call for the release of the gentlemen that had been arrested and detained on the basis of the Petition by the State government.
Sam Onwuemeodo
Special Adviser (Media) to the former Imo State Governor and Senator Representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha
PRESS RELEASE
RE: SENATOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA NEVER SAID THAT, HE GAVE IPOB N500M, WHILE ON CHANNELS’ TELEVISION, SUNDAY NIGHT.
The officials of the Imo State Government, rattled and cowed by the Superlative outing of Senator Rochas Okorocha on Channels’ Television, Sunday night, had come up with the jaundiced story of Okorocha, claiming that he gave IPOB N500 million, while he was governor.
Those who had had the opportunity of watching the Programme Sunday night, and even those who could not watch the programme while it was on, but had watched the attendant videos, would attest or confirm that Okorocha had, at no time, claimed that he gave IPOB N500m.
He only explained intelligently, how he managed the group, using God given wisdom and knowledge, to ensure that Imo enjoyed maximum peace throughout the eight years he had held sway, as the Executive governor of Imo State.
Senator Okorocha had talked about how he released N250 million, on two occasions, totalling N500 million, for empowerment programme, for Militants in the Oil areas of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta, who had accepted his appeal to embrace peace and surrender their arms. And that was how total peace returned to those areas.
And he also enlisted thousands of them and other youths, into Imo Security Network, (ISN), Imo Civil Guard, Niger Delta Security Network, Youth Must Work Programme and so on, with their stipends being N15,000 or N20,000 each, monthly.
Okorocha never claimed to have given IPOB N500 million. The Imo government is an expert in chasing shadows, and passing buck or looking for scape goats.
Okorocha’s appearance on Channels’ TV and how he handled the questions didn’t go down well with Imo government and its agents .They decided therefore, to inject virus into that exciting outing.
To say the least, the government in Imo, wants to prevail by strength. And whether it will work, I have my doubts.
Sam Onwuemeodo
Special Adviser (Media) to the former Imo State Governor and Senator Representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha