Police arrest Umahi’s opponent for senate seat over ‘drug-related offence’

The Ebonyi police command says it has arrested Linus Okorie, the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi south.

Chris Anyanwu, spokesperson of the command, in a statement on Monday, said Okorie was arrested and not abducted as speculated.

He said Okorie, a former member of the house of representatives, was arrested over drug-related matters and several other offences.

“Sequel to initial viral rumours renting the air, cum a Press Release accredited to one Dr David Ogbonna of Linus Okorie CaringHeart Foundation, purporting that the former member of House of Representatives, was abducted on Sunday,” the statement reads.

“The State Police Command swung into action and later traced the said Okorie, who had evaded many Police arrests/invitations, to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House.

“Police detectives were briefed on why he was arrested which includes; his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha Community which led to suspected gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area in 2021.

“Hence, the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for a scrupulous investigation.

“Secondly, Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition dated, March 23, authored by the State’s Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against Gov Dave Umahi.

“When invited by the SIB over the false allegations/petition, Okorie in his characteristic pompous manner refused vehemently to report. Rather he chose to file fallacious suits against the Police Command.

“It is also pertinent to mention that Okorie also have 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 lawmaker is contesting for the same senate seat as Dave Umahi, governor of the state.

LP ALLEGES ABDUCTION

The Labour Party has however alleged that Okorie was kidnapped by gunmen.

Julius Abure, the LP national chairman, said the former lawmaker was kidnapped on his way home on Sunday.

“It is no longer news that some political actors in some south-east states particularly, Ebonyi and Enugu have vowed that the LP and its candidates will not be allowed to campaign freely in the zone,” he said.

“This is evident with incessant attacks on members and supporters of the LP and that of our other candidates.

“This night attack is viewed by the party as a furtherance of the determination of these political hirelings to frustrate the progressive incursion of the party across the nation and particularly in the south-east.”

Abure urged the state governor to intervene and ensure the prompt release of Okorie.

“I therefore call on the Ebonyi state governor, His Excellency, Dave Umahi and the hierarchy of the security agencies particularly, the Inspector General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police to immediately effect the release of our senatorial prospect, Mr Linus Okorie,” he said.