Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Labour Party (LP) Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi South Zone Hon Linus Okorie, over alledged drug related matters and several related offences.
Hon Linus Okorie was the Lawmaker representing Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representative between 2007-2015
In a Statement issued by the Command Police Public Relations Officer SP Chris Anyanwu reference C2 5200/EBS/PPRO/VOL 8/229, debunked initial viral rumours purporting the abduction /Kidnap of the former Lawmaker.
According to the Statement, “sequel to initial viral rumours renting the air, cum a Press Release accredited to one Dr David Ogbonna purporting that Hon Linus Abaa Okorie, was ‘abducted/kidnapped’ the Police Command swung into action and later traced him to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House”
The Statement opined, “Police detectives were briefed on why Hon Okorie was arrested which includes his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha Local Government Area’
The Statement stated that the actions of Hon Okorie led to suspected unknown gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area, leaving seven (7) persons dead at the end of that fracas.
” Hon Linus Abaa Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition dated 23/3/2022, authored by the State Commissioner for Justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against Governor Dave Umahi “
It added that when invited by the State Investigation Bureau (SIB ) over the false allegations/petition Hon Linus Abaa Okorie refused vehemently to report to the SIB for a chat’
The Statement stated that Hon Linus Abaa Okorie, also has a pending case where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for Hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki”
It added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba states categorically that Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie was neither abducted nor kidnapped and warns that people should desist from painting pictures of insecurity in the State .
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information/Orientation Barrister Uchenna Orji, has expressed dismay over the accusations leveled against the security outfit that carried out its lawful and professional duty, in relation to the offences hanging around the neck of Hon. Linus Abba Okorie.
Barrister Orji made the assertion on Monday while fielding questions with newsmen in abakaliki.
” Contrary to the unfounded, irresponsible and vicious accusations widely circulated in social media for cheap political gains, the suspect Hon. Linus Abba Okorie was arrested and promptly handed over to the Police’
The Commissioner urged members of the public to discountenance all the rumours and unfounded accusations against the hardworking Security Agencies and or government officials .
