The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship candidate for Ebonyi State in the 2023 general elections, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, has urged the Ebonyi State Police Command to stop hunting for him over the murder of HRH. Ezeogo Igboke Ewa.
The slain traditional ruler of Umuezeokaoha in Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi State and the Chairman of Ezza Traditional Rulers, was killed by yet to be identified killers.
In a statement he personally signed on Monday and made available to Blueprint, Odoh revealed that he recently obtained an Order from the High Court in Owerri restraining the police and other security agencies from harassing or arresting him until the matter brought before the court is determined.
Odoh lamented that the Ebonyi State Police Command had strangely released a viral press statement declaring him ‘wanted’, despite the fact that the Inspector General of Police, upon being served the Order from the High Court in Owerri, stopped all actions in the matter in respect to the Court “but the CP of Ebonyi State, who is under the IG, continued to take further action in the matter, contrary to the order of Court.
The governorship hopeful said he is being harassed, intimidated and hunted by the police under the direction of the APC government because of the massive acceptance of APGA and his candidacy by Ebonyians, who are bent on electing him to remedy the years of deprivation in the state by the present administration.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a publication by the Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, in a letter; AZ: 5200/EBS/DFA/PPRO/VOL.8/249 dated 06/03/2023 and I wish to state and react as follows:
“While I, again, sympathize with the family over this very painful, unfortunate and tragic loss, I reiterate my earlier positions in the media that I know nothing, absolutely NOTHING about the assassination of my Traditional Ruler, HRH. Ezeogo Igboke Ewa of Umuezeokaoha in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State and the Chairman of Ezza Traditional Rulers.
“The allegations against me in the said publication are all false in every material fact, malicious, baseless, spurious and should be totally discountenanced by the general public. For the Nigerian law still presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction.
“The persons listed in the said letter as being declared wanted are APGA supporters/members from my Umuezeokaoha community just as APGA has supporters in all villages and polling units across the 13 LGAs of Ebonyi state.
“I don’t have other inter- personnel relationships or dealings with them except that being an urbane and accomplished figure, some of them look up to me as their role model and mentor
“I have already obtained an Order from the High Court, Owerri in No: HOW/194/2023 dated 3rd day of March, 2023 restraining the police and other security agencies from harassing or arresting me until the matter brought before the court is determined by the court.
“The IGP and other security agencies have been served with the court order accordingly. The IG upon being served the said order stopped all actions in the matter in respect to the Court but the CP Ebonyi State who is under the IG continued to take further action in the matter contrary to the order of Court.”
Furthermore, he said: “Family of Late Eze filed a suit in Suit Number HBA/47MC/2023 alleged that the CP Ebonyi State has compromised by failing to arrest me and Ebonyi High Court has not determined the matter, yet CP Ebonyi State continued to take steps over the matter that is subjudice.
“I am not on the run and cannot be said to be on the run for any reason whatsoever but pursuing and seeking the resolution of the false and misleading allegations brought against me through legal and peaceful means.
“The allegations are politically-motivated and intended to undermine my chances of winning this Saturday’s Governorship election in Ebonyi state which I am the leading frontliner.
“I, therefore, urge my supporters across Ebonyi State and beyond to remain calm, focused and resolute in our efforts to win this coming Gubernatorial election and liberate our people from the prevailing constant harassment and intimidations.
“I finally pray that the Lord Almighty will continue to grant us the wisdom, grace and ability to manage this critical and crucial moment of our campaigns and stir us to a resounding victory!”
