Lawyer cry foul as court sends Ebonyi LP senatorial candidate to prison

Mr Chikodili Nome, the lead Counsel to Linus Okorie, the Ebonyi Labour Party Senatorial Candidate has alleged that the charges of conspiracy and murder filed against his client by the state government was to keep him behind bar, weaken him and his supporters.

Nome spoke after Okorie, a former member of House of Representatives was remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Abakaliki for Abakaliki after he was arraigned at Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abakaliki.

He also alleged that the state government was resorting to self help.

“We have seen details of the charges. What happened here today is an abuse to judicial proceedings.

“Anyone who is not comfortable with the judgement should go to court of Appeal and not to resort to self help,” Nome said.

The Magistrate, Linda Ogodo, ordered the remand of Okorie over lack of jurisdiction.

The accused was charged for conspiring among others to commit felony to murder, promoting inter-communal war and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 516A of Criminal Code Law, Cap 33 volume 1 Law of Ebonyi 2009.

The count charges No. MAB/574/2022 against Okorie and others at large on same date and place in the aforesaid Magistrate district, unlawfully caused the death of Mr Donatus Okoro.

The offence is punishable under section 319 of the criminal code law, Cap 33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi 2009.

The court ordered the remand of the defendants at the correctional centre, pending issuance of legal advice and adjourned the matter for November 4, 2022.

The Police Command in Ebonyi, had, in a statement, issued to newsmen in Abakaliki on Mondaysaid Okorie, was arrested over drug related matters and several other offences.

Anyanwu also dismissed claims that the senatorial candidate was abducted.

“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 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 Spokesman stated.

Okorie is contesting the same senate seat with Gov. Umahi.

A statement from Okorie’s organisation, Caring Heart Foundation and signed by one Dr David Ogbonna, alleged that the senatorial candidate was abducted on Sunday morning on his way to Abakaliki by gunmen.

According to the statement, we implore our supporters, CaringHeart Foundation members and friends of Hon Linus, not to give into unlawful acts but allow the security agencies do their professional jobs.

(NAN)