The House of Representatives member elect for Ideato Federal Constituency, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu has floored the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Governor of Imo State and Nigerian Police as a High Court siting in the Federal Capital Territory has set aside/nullified the Police letter of invitation sent to Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere , Former Gov Emeka Ihedioha and Gerald Irona dated 13th March, 2023.
In a ruling dated 24th March, 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 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.
while reacting to the ruling Ugochinyere said, the Police and Imo State govt wanted to use the ‘invitation’ to frame them over fabricated allegations of murder ,terrorism and arson.
Many still wonder 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 were 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 of agents of the PDP or Chief Ugwu.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to 4th April, 2023 for hearing.