By Madu Obi
The Anambra State Police command has said that the detention of an activist, Bonny Okonkwo, from Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area of the state, was due to criminal defamation against the owner of the Enugu Electricity Development Company, EEDC, Sir Emeka Offor.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the allegation that he (Okonkwo) was arrested at the instigation of Sir Emeka Offor is pedestrian, adding that the Police need not be instigated to do its job.
According to the PPRO, Okonkwo is in "legal detention". A citizen against whom a crime is committed has the right to complain to appropriate authorities and the Police is mandated by the constitution to investigate such crime.
"Due process was followed in the arrest and detention of the offender for thorough investigation."
"Even while in detention, he persisted in his crime through the use of an electronic device until he was properly searched and denied use of the gadget."
"His detention was on the order of the court. It is therefore both legal and proper. The public is therefore urged not to be swayed by propaganda being unleashed by his counsel to gain sympathy."
In one breath he claimed his client merely criticized the complainant, yet he admitted that his client published on a social media space that the Meter Manufacturing Company commissioned by the Vice President at Oraifite, an event witnessed by many dignitaries from all walks of life, was an empty warehouse decorated to deceive the people!
How more destructive can an activist be?
"The Police is about to conclude its investigation and the suspect will be arraigned before the court, which has the singular duty to determine guilt."
"Anambra State Police command will never infringe on the rights of the citizens, but it will never shy away from bringing to account those who break the law and it will always do this in accordance with provisions of the constitution and other relevant enactments.
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