Why former House of Reps’ member Linus Okorie was arrested- Police

Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South Linus Okorie was arrested, not abducted, the police have said.

Spokesman of the Command Chris Anyanwu said in a statement on Monday that Okorie, an ex-member of the House of Representatives, was arrested over drug-related matters and several other offences.

Anyanwu urged the public to desist from painting pictures of insecurity in the state by propagating unfounded rumours.

“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 Governor Dave Umahi.

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