Prof. Benard Odoh, an APGA candidate for governor in Ebonyi State’s general elections in 2023, criticized the police announcement that listed him and nine other people as wanted as being unusual and prejudicial.
He claimed that the police put him on their wanted list in order to thwart and ruin his prospects of winning the state’s governorship race on Saturday.
On Monday, the Ebonyi State Police Command issued a warrant for the arrest of Odoh and nine of his supporters on suspicion of murder.
Recall that thugs allegedly murdered HRH (Eze) Igboke Ewa, the traditional leader of Umuezeokaoha community in the state’s Ezza North Local Government Area, last week because he supported “a specific” political party. Odoh is a native of the same neighborhood.
The APGA candidate for governor was implicated in the monarch’s demise by the Ebonyi State Government. He has categorically refuted the accusation, affirming that the late traditional ruler was his father and a supporter, and asserting that it is absurd to connect him to the heinous occurrence.
In a statement he personally signed and provided to media members on Monday in Abakaliki, he stated, “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:
“That’s while I again sympathise 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.
“That 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. The Nigerian law still presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“That 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 interpersonal 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.
“That 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.
“That 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.
“Further the 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 sub judice.
“That 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.
“That 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.
“That, I, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, 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 intimidation.
“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!”