Ebonyi police declare APGA gov candidate wanted

The Ebonyi State Police Command has declared the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate for the 2023 elections, in the state, Prof Benard Odoh, wanted.

Also declared were nine others, who are members and supporters of the party in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Hoodlums reportedly killed Odoh’s traditional ruler and supporter, Igboke Ewa, last week.

But the Ebonyi State Government has accused the APGA governorship candidate of being a suspect in the monarch’s killing.

Odoh has repeatedly denied the allegation, reiterating that the late traditional ruler was his father and supporter, maintaining that it would be wicked and ludicrous for anybody to link him to the incident.

The police in the statement, said, “The Ebonyi State Police Command has declared the under-listed persons wanted in connection with the murder of Igboke Ewa of Umu-Ezekoha Community in Ezza North.

“Their names are as follows: Prof. Bernard Odoh; Samuel Onyekachi Aligwe; Peter Orogwu (aka one boy); Chukwudi Aliewa (aka Ezza); Chika Ezealigbo; Nnaemeka Egede (aka Champaign); Nnabuike Okohu; Ogobuchi Agbom(aka Okiri); Nonso Obasi; and Ikechukwu Nwoba (aka Solid.

“The Command urges the good people of Ebonyi State and the general public to assist in apprehending the suspects if seen or call the Command’s emergency number, 07064515001, or the nearest police station with any useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.”

But reacting on the police declaration on Monday, the APGA candidate, Odoh, alleged that the government’ s target was to render him disqualified ahead of the March 11, 2023 governorship polls.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki on Monday, he claimed that the state government knew what caused the monarch’s death and was desperate at ensuring justice in the matter was truncated.

“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, 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, Igboke Ewa of Umuezeokaoha in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State and the Chairman of Ezza Traditional Rulers.”