v Laments harassment, unlawful arrest, detention
By Martin Opara
The Legal Adviser of Umuihugba Umuodu autonomous community in Owerri Municipal council, Barr G.O.C. Ihebom has called on the Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to, as a matter of urgency prevail on his Special Adviser on Security, retired Commissioner of Police, Dan Okoro to desist from instigating the harassment, intimidation unlawful arrest and detention of respectable and illustrious sons of the community on the basis of frivolous allegation in a bid to heat up the polity, destabilize the system and achieve his selfish, ulterior and parochial interests, which include, unilaterally deciding who succeeds their late traditional ruler.
Barr Ihebom who stated this in an open letter to the governor, dated June 18, 2021 and published in today’s edition of the Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper stated that “it has become pertinent to publicly draw the governor’s attention to the nefarious antics and shenanigans of retired C.P. Dan Okoro because of the inherent danger involved. “The situation has reached a grueling point now, that both the President General and Secretary General of our community who are 78years and 76years respectively and most of the other elected officers of the Town Union, as at the time of writing, are detained for the umpteenth time in the dingy police cell of the Anti Kidnapping Unit, Imo State Police Command Headquarters, Owerri for upwards of five (5) days based on yet another of the duplicated petitions (on almost the same issues) by persons working for and on behalf of your S.A. on Security”.
A cross section of indigenes residents and youths of the community who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity said, “C.P. Dan Okoro has become a thorn in the flesh and a clog in the wheel of the community. There is urgent need for the state government and other relevant agencies to beam their search lights on the activities, antics and shenanigans of the Governor’s S.A on Security, more so, now that he goes about boasting and dropping the governor’s name and exalted office in his unbridled bid to have his way at all cost, contrary to laid down rules and procedure. And in the process, he misrepresents and demarkets the Senator Hope Uzodinma led prosperity government in all ramifications”.
They also wondered why the retired Commissioner of Police who should known better engages in acts that are subjudice considering the fact that an Owerri High Court, presided over by Justice E. O. Agada in a judgement delivered on Wednesday 24th March 2021, in Suit No. HOW/251/2021, between Surveyor (Sir) Ferdinand Anoruo, Obinga Francis Igwe, Mr. Mike Kagha and Prince Obinna Ihebom for themselves and as representing the members/executive of Umuihugba Welfare Union, Owerri Municipal Council as Plaintiffs and CP Dan Okoro (Rtd), Chief Bishop Silas Anoruo, Mr. Soro Unegbu, Chief Tony Eziefula, Chief Analyn Nwaneri, Chief Ambrose Nkwodinma, Interim Management Committee Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as Defendants ordered that, “Upon an Application by Motion exparte brought pursuant to Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2017 of Imo State and the inherent powers of the Honourable Court, filed in the High Court Registry, Owerri on the 19th day of March 2021.
Having read the motion paper, the affidavit in support, the written address and after hearing C.K. Okorie Esq. Counsel for the Plaintiffs /Applicants.
Court is satisfied that if the application is refused, peace in the community and lives shall be endangered”.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: An Order of the Honourable Interim Injunction restraining the Plaintiffs and Defendants from disbanding or dissolving incumbent Executive and President General of Umuihugba-Umuodu Welfare and Development Union/Town Union of Umuihugba Umuodu Autonomous Community in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
It is further ordered that this mode of service upon been effected shall be deemed good and proper service”.
They advised the Governor’s S.A. on Security retried C.P. Dan Okoro to stop taking advantage of his office to disobey the subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
