The Ebonyi police command has confirmed it has arrested Linus Okorie, the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi south over alleged drug-related offence.
The state police spokesman, Chris Anyanwu, in a statement, said Okorie was arrested over drug-related matters and several other offences and not abducted as rumoured.
Anyawu added that the arrest of the former member of the house of representatives became imperative after he failed to honour police invitation on several occasions.
He said, “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.
The police noted that among the offences he was arrested over was his alleged involvement in spreading fake news against the governor.
“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.
The lawmaker is contesting for the same senate seat as Dave Umahi, governor of the state.