Our reporter| The Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi south, Linus Okorie was on Wednesday remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Abakaliki over alleged conspiracy and murder on the order of a magistrate court.
Okorie, a former member of the house of representatives, who was arrested on Sunday over allegations of drug peddling, is contesting for the same legislative seat with Dave Umahi, governor of the state.
The charge dated April 5, 2022, marked MAB/574/2022, accused Okorie of conspiring among others to commit felony to murder, promoting inter-communal war and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 516A of Criminal Code Law, Cap 33 volume 1 Law of Ebonyi 2009.
The accused and other defendants now at large were alleged to have caused the death of one Donatus Okoro — an offence punishable under section 319 of the criminal code law, Cap 33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi 2009.
At the court session, Chikodili Nome, lead counsel to Okorie, said the charges against his client was just to keep him behind bars and weaken him and his supporters.
Nome said the state government was resorting to self-help.
He stated that the suit was an abuse of court process as there was a subsisting order of a federal high court barring the police and the state government from arresting and prosecuting Okorie.
“We have seen details of the charges. What happened here today is an abuse of judicial proceedings,” he said
“Anyone who is not comfortable with the judgement should go to court of appeal and not resort to self-help.”
Linda Ogodo, presiding magistrate, held that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
She, however, ordered the remand of the accused at the correctional centre, pending issuance of legal advice.
The matter was adjourned to November 4, 2022.
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