The monarch was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command for allegedly sharing on a WhatsApp platform a write-up that was said to be very critical of the state governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested Eze Ekene Obinali, the traditional ruler of Umucheke in Umuobom, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.
The monarch was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command for allegedly sharing on a WhatsApp platform a write-up that was said to be very critical of the state governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The embattled traditional ruler on March 20 reposted the write-up on a WhatsApp group platform called Ideato Voice.
Confirming the arrest of the monarch, the administrator of the platform, Vitus Ezenwa, told SaharaReporters that the monarch was arrested and detained by the police on Wednesday.
Ezenwa said that he was first arrested by the police and was later granted bail after the police apprehended the traditional ruler.
He told our correspondent that the media content for which the monarch is being held in police custody had the headline, “Gov Hope Uzodinma in a fresh scandal.”
The said report talked about the role of the late Ahmed Gulak during the 2018 Imo State governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress that produced Uzodinma.
Ezenwa said, “My name is Nze Dr Vitus Ezenwa. I am the publisher of Ideato Voice newspapers. Quote me if necessary. I am the witness to this. I was arrested by the police over the post because I am the administrator of the platform where it was made, Ideato Voice platform. I was detained until the royal father was arrested and currently detained.
“He is currently at Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Tiger Base. The post was made on March 20. The Police granted me bail after the traditional ruler was arrested. I was asked to be reporting at the police everyday till further notice.”
The command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye, also confirmed the arrest of the traditional ruler.
He, however, did not provide details as he told SaharaReporters that the matter was under investigation.
