A High Court sitting in Abuja has set aside a police invitation letter sent to Ikenga Ugochinyere, former Gov, Emeka Ihedioha and Gerald Irona.
The letter dated March 13, 2023 by the Police and Imo state government was alleged to have been intended to be used to frame them up over fabricated allegations of murder, terrorism and arson.
In the ruling dated March 24, 2023 between Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu and seven Respondents including the Governor of Imo State, State Security Services, Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Ebubeagu Security Network and the DIG in charge of FIIB, the Court stated, “It is hereby ordered that the letter dated 13th March, 2023 with Reference No. AR3000/ims/dfa/sib/vol.1/58 titled –“INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES- RE: CASE OF MUDER(SIC), KIDNAPPING AND ARSON” be set aside pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.“
The Court further held that “The Respondents are restrained whether by themselves, agents, officers, staff, privies or howsoever described from giving any effect, carrying out, proceeding with, arresting, further inviting or taking any other steps in furtherance of or in connection with the said letter of invitation dated 13th March, 2023 as it affects the Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
By this ruling of the Court, the Imo state Police Command which has been accused by the member-elect for its complicity in the multiple attacks on his person and his home and for failing to conduct any form of investigation has been stopped in this fresh move to arrest Mr. Ugochinyere.
In the letter addressed to the Imo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Charles Ugwu, the Commissioner of Police invited former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona and House of Representatives member elect, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere in connection to what it called investigation into a case of Murder, Kidnapping and Arson.
Many still wonder if the Police which has failed to conduct an investigation into the deadly attack on the country home of Mr. Ugochinyere which claimed multiple lives including his uncle and over thirty-two vehicles burnt and also houses could be inviting the victim for investigation into such a case which was not disclosed.
Keen watchers of Imo politics are of the unanimous opinion that the invitation by the Police was politically motivated and the Governor needed to arrest and detain all opposition leaders to enable him win the House of Assembly election slated for the 18th March, 2023. This opinion many said is predicated on the fact that the invitation was sent through the State Chairman of the PDP when they know that the trio are not officers or agents of the PDP or Chief Ugwu.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to 4th April, 2023 for hearing.
