Police arrest traditional ruler over alleged sharing of damaging comment on WhatsApp platform
The traditional ruler of Umucheke, Umuobom, a community in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo state, Ekene Obinali has been arrested by the police for allegedly sharing a social media post reportedly against Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Penpushing reports that the monarch, was arrested by the operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the police in the state, having being accused of sharing a write-up said to be critical of the governor on a WhatsApp platform.
The administrator of the WhatsApp platform, Vitus Ezenwa, a publisher of a local newspaper in the state confirmed the arrest of the monarch to journalists on Friday, adding that the traditional ruler was arrested and detained by the police on Wednesday.
Penpushing further reports that the administrator of the WhatsApp group explained the police had earlier arrested him (Ezenwa) and granted him bail before they swooped up the traditional ruler, who allegedly shared the post on the platform.
The controversial post was titled, “Gov Hope Uzodinma in fresh scandal”, which focused on the alleged role played by a slain chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Gulak in the 2018 All Progressives Congress(APC) Governorship primary election in Imo State, which was won by Uzodinma.
Penpushing also reports that Gulak, a former political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, was the chairperson of the panel which conducted the primary, but was shot dead by gunmen in Owerri Imo State on 30 May 2021.
The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest of the traditional ruler adding that he is being investigated for cyberstalking, and that further developments will be communicated to the general public.
Penpushing reports that a source who is a member of the platform but does not want his name in print said the embattled royal father had, on 20 March, 2023 shared the write-up on a WhatsApp group platform known as ‘Ideato Voice,’
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