Just In: Rivers Representative Arrested

Hon Ephraim Nwuzi, the federal lawmaker representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was arrested by the Rivers State Police Command on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

He was subsequently taken to court where he was remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Rivers State by the Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, the Supervising Assistant Inspector General of Police for the elections in Rivers State, Abutu Yaro, had invited Nwuzi over an inciting video where he allegedly directed his supporters to attack some persons, including officials of INEC during the elections.

The police had accused Nwuzi of several offences including treasonable felony, conspiracy, motion of communal crisis, and inciting violence. When the matter was mentioned in court, Nwuzi’s counsel made an oral application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution and the Investigation Police Officers in charge of the matter.

Nwuzi’s counsel, Emenike Ebete, argued that the offences disclosed in the allegations were insufficient to warrant a remand. However, the Chief Magistrate, after hearing the arguments, remanded Nwuzi based on the allegations.

Speaking to newsmen outside the court session, Ebete said that his client would remain in prison custody until March 3, 2023, pending when a charge would be preferred against him by the state. He also argued that the offences preferred against his client were not sufficient enough for him to be remanded.

Nwuzi’s arrest reportedly occurred on Wednesday morning at his residence in Chokocho, Etche LGA, by policemen who allegedly broke into his apartment. The arrest has generated mixed reactions, with some people condemning it while others believe it is justified.

It remains to be seen how the matter will play out in the coming days, especially with the general elections scheduled to hold in the country on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The arrest and subsequent remand of a federal lawmaker and political candidate in the upcoming elections is likely to generate further controversies and debates.