Okorocha Accuses Police Of Assaulting Wife, Daughter During Son-In-Law’s Arrest
FORMER Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has accused police operatives of assaulting his wife and daughter during the arrest of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama Obieri, in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Owerri on Sunday, Okorocha alleged that the officers who stormed the church during a service pushed his wife, Nkechi Okorocha, to the ground and tore the clothes of his first daughter, Uloma.
He described the incident as a desecration of a place of worship and claimed that the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, misled the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, into authorizing the operation.
“Uche Nwosu, my wife, and daughter were in church when armed men in police uniforms began shooting while the sermon was ongoing. They pushed my wife down and tore my daughter’s clothes. There was no warrant of arrest or invitation. People were injured while trying to escape. Uche was forced into a vehicle with Imo State Government number plates,” Okorocha said.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Rabiu Hussaini, later confirmed that Nwosu was in police custody, but he had not been allowed to speak with him since the arrest.
Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District, described the arrest as an attempt by the state government to frame his son-in-law.
“Over 100 gunshots were fired just to arrest one man. This is ruthless and shameful. The Inspector-General of Police must have been misled by Governor Uzodinma,” he alleged.
The senator further called on the police to either release Nwosu or charge him to court within 24 hours, as provided by the constitution.
Okorocha also challenged Governor Uzodinma to reveal the names of those behind insecurity in the state or take responsibility for the killings that have continued to occur.
“Governor Uzodinma has to answer for what is happening in Imo State. Hundreds of innocent citizens have been killed. The President should be informed about the situation,” he stated.
A former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Sunday, said police operatives who arrested his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, during a church service at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama Obieri in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state, pushed his wife, Nkechi, down and tore the clothes of his first daughter, Uloma.
Okorocha who briefed journalists at his Spilbat mansion in Owerri, the state capital, alleged that the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, deceived the inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, into desecrating the church of worship by arresting Nwosu.
Okorocha who now represents Imo West at the Senate claimed that the state government wanted to frame Nwosu because of its “non-performance.”
Okorocha said that Uzodinma had not hidden his wickedness against him and the members of his household.
Okorocha urged the police to free his son-in-law or take him to court within the next 24 hours as enshrined in the constitution.
Okorocha said that though the Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Hussaini, had confirmed that Nwosu was being held in police custody, he had yet to establish contact with his son-in-law since he was arrested
He said, “Uche Nwosu, my wife and daughter were at the church for an outing service, when a group of men in police uniform started shooting while the sermon was ongoing. In the course of their activities, they pushed down my wife and tore my daughter’s clothes. No warrant of arrest. No invitation. We suspected kidnapping at first. Many people were injured while running. Uche Nwosu was dragged into a bus carrying Imo State Government number plate.
“They were identified as policemen from Imo State Government House by their colleagues attached to Uche for the burial (of his mother). I got the CP who said that the IGP approved his arrest.
“The shock of such an arrest without warrant and humiliating members of my family is unfortunate. Most security operatives in Imo know nothing about the arrest. I don’t know what they framed up. The IGP could only do this on high-level misinformation from Hope Uzodinma. Over 100 gunshots to arrest Uche Nwosu. What kind of ruthless behaviour on an innocent citizen of Nigeria?
“Uzodinma wants to frame me up by all means. Uzodinma has to answer for most of the activities going on. Uzodinma must mention the names of those who are responsible for insecurity in Imo State or he should be held responsible for all the killings in the state. Uzodinma has framed up something against Uche Nwosu. Buhari should be informed about what is happening in Imo State. Hundreds of citizens are being killed in this state.”
Okorocha and Uzodinma