The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the police to arrest and prosecute the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi, and the Vice Chairman-elect of Igboeze South Local Government Area, Mr. Sunday Ajogwu, for allegedly kidnapping its 2015 governorship candidate, Okey Ezea.
The party accused the duo of allegedly working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and masterminding the kidnapping, torture and attempted murder of Ezea during the recent local government election in the state.
The state APC Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, told reporters that Ezea was beaten to a pulp and kidnapped.
The chairman said the police rescued him and took him to a hospital during the November 4 local government election in the state.
He said Ezea only asked for the result sheet of the election and calling for a free and fair poll.
Nwoye said despite Ezea’s statement at the divisional police headquarters in Igboeze South Local Government Area, the police had not arrested and prosecuted the hoodlums that attacked the former governorship candidate.
But Okechi denied culpability in tha attack.
The commissioner said Ezea was attacked by suspected thugs he brought to the election venue over possible disagreement on financial settlement.
Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said Ezea should rest assured that the culprits would be brought to justice, if he had lodged a complaint with the police.
He said: “Chief Ezea ought to have gone to the divisional police headquarters where he reported the matter to find out the status of the matter before going to press.
“He can also see the Commissioner of Police to know the status of the matter.”
Nwoye said the attackers must face justice, adding that Ezea was a three-time governorship candidate in the state and a leading voice of the opposition.
He said: “We called on you (reporters) to talk about what happened to our leader, our governorship candidate in 2015 election, in the last local government fraudulent election.
“Before everything else, before we became APC members, before we even became Nigerians, we are first human beings. So, when certain things happen, we treat them from human perspective.
“Recall that I informed you in a hurry on that particular day, November 4, those of you who had the opportunity to come around here, that Chief Ezea was attacked, kidnapped, forcefully incarcerated and tortured. I also said he remained in the den of kidnappers for some time before he was rescued by the police.
“Unfortunately, Chief Ezea knew his attackers; at least, those who masterminded his attack. He fingered Okechi and Ajogwu.”