Igbo Presidency agitators have been detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS Office in Abuja for four nights. The trio arrested includes SHEIKH Mohammed Adams, Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu and Mr Chris Okigbo,
Sheikh Mohamed Adams and Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu were preparing to go to Eagle Square venue of the APC Convention to canvass for Igbo presidency before they were arrested, The trio were first detained at a military facility, and later transferred to APO Legislative Quarters Police Station. They were taken the following day to the FCT Commissioner of Police and later transferred to SARS detention centre.
Briefing Rev Obinna Akukwe Director, Christian Religious Wing Pan Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction Coalition PANPIEC, the General Coordinator of Eastern Youth Forum EYF, Mr Dominic Onyekwelu said that all efforts to release them have proved abortive. Mr Onyekwelu said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo have detailed an experienced human rights lawyer,t o effect their releae but there are unnecessary bottlenecks.
Barrister George Ibekwe , seasoned human rights rights was detailed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to follow up the matter and report back to them. He has been making frantic efforts to secure their release.
PANPIEC learnt that Sheihk Mohammed Adams and Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu were alleged to have written a letter to President Buhari seeking support or Igbo Presidency, the contents of which the military and police authorities deemed offensive.
Sheikh Mohammed Adams, influential Islamic Cleric has been at the forefront of campaign for President of Igbo extraction. He has written letters to Buhari, Iyorchia Ayu, PDP, APC to zone the presidency to the South East. Sheikh Adams was reportedly teargased, manhandled and his dress torn by irate Atiku boys because he entered the PDP convention ground at the to campaign and convince delegates to vote for Igbo candidate. Sheikh Adams have vowed to carry the same campaign to Eagle Square venue of APC Convention before he was arrested in the process..
Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu, foremost Ohanaeze Youth leader, former Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze and General Coordinator of Igbo -Ohanaeze Integrity Groups was also arrested alongside Sheikh Adams. Opalaukwu was visible with hi team, including activists from the north, talking to eleates on the eve of the electin, from ne assembly point to the other. His attempt to continue the campaign into Eagles Square was effectively checkmated by the arrest.
Mr Chris Okigbo , leader OF New Foundation for National Understanding NFNU , a retired artillery officer with the Nigerian and Army was also arrested. He has spent three nights in detention. Mr Okigbo was in Abuja to help campaign for presidency of Igbo extraction.
The former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezefe has condemned the detention of the two octogenarians and the activist, and has called for their immediate release. Igbo leaders have expressed worry over the detention f Igbo Presidency agitators and have warned that if the situation is not ratified, they will take further action.
PANPIEC Administrative Secretary , Comrade Chuks Ibegbu, have described the arrest of Sheikh Adams, Mr Okigbo and Barrister Okpalaukwu as a travesty. He said that the trio has the right to hold any form of political opinion and a letter viewed as offensive to President Buhari is not enough fr the to be incarcerated for four days..
