Police arrest Uzodimma’s ex-aide who ‘led attack on Ajaero’

The police command in Imo has arrested Chinasa Nwaneri, former adviser on special duties to Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo. 

Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, said one Emmanuel Ezeanochie, president of Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA), was arrested alongside Nwaneri for “harassing, intimidating and frustrating residents of the state”.

He said an investigation is underway, adding that further developments will be communicated to the media. 

“The former aide to the governor, Chinasa Nwaneri, ISAMATA President and three others were arrested over an allegation of Malicious Damage, Fraudulent Activities, Obtaining Money Under False Pretence and Illegal Use of Government Power/Authority to Harass, Intimidate and Frustrate the Citizens of Imo State,” Okoye said.

Nwaneri was among the aides not reappointed by Uzodimma after the governor won a second term in office. 

Last year, a group known as the Dozie-Mezie Owerri Association accused Nwaneri of leading the assault on Joe Ajaero, national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

On November 1, 2023, Ajaero was picked up from the Imo council secretariat of the NLC by heavily armed police officers. 

At the time, the NLC said Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded immediately after he was arrested by security operatives.