The Igbo National Council (INC) has called on Gov. Francis Nwifuru and the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mrs Augustina Uche-Anya to drop the felony charge levelled against Mr Igboayaka Igboayaka.
Igboayaka, who recently won a reelection for a second term as the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), was arrested by operatives of the Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police, Ebonyi Command in Owerri , Imo state on February 8.
A statement signed by Mr Godsent Chilos, president of INC , a copy was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday in Abakaliki called on state governor and CP to drop the alleged felony charge against the embattled youth leader.
The group equally appealed to the President General (PG) of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Sen. John Mbata to intervene in the matter so as to promote unity among the various groups in the Igbo nation.
The statement read in part: “You will recall that on Saturday, February, 8 after the victory of Igboayaka for second term in office as President of Ohanaeze Youth Council which took place in Owerri, Imo state, the president was arrested by police operatives from Ebonyi Command.
“After two days in Police detention, following the deteriorating health of Igboayaka resulting from alleged beating and torture, he was hurriedly taken to clinic for medication when Civil Society Organisations raised alarm on the deteriorating health condition.
“Consequent upon the above, on Wednesday February 12, at about 3:40pm while the legal team of Igboayaka was at the Anti Kidnapping Unit of Ebonyi Police Command, the IPO in company of other police operatives hurriedly took him to magistrates court where he was arraigned.
“He was arraigned on trumped up charge of felony and allegations of causing extreme fear to the people of Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government Area.
” Since then, Igboayaka has been remanded at the Abakaliki Medium Correctional Centre.
“Having investigated the matter and found it to be spurious and a calculated attempt to smear the good name of the national Igbo youth leader, we are therefore appealing to Gov. Nwifuru and the Commissioner of Police to drop the charge.”
Chilos noted that his group was working with support from a coalition of 12 CSOs to secure the release of the youth president who he said has been championing the struggle for the defence of the rights of Igbo youths.
Our correspondent reports that Igboayaka is due to appear in court for continuation of hearing on bail application today, Wednesday at the Magistrate Court 2 Abakaliki. ENDS//
