Eze Ekene Obinali, the traditional chief of Umucheke in Umuobom in Imo State’s Ideato South Local Government Area, has been taken into custody by the police.
The monarch was detained by members of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the state police command for reportedly sending on WhatsApp a piece of writing that was scathing in its claimed criticism of Hope Uzodimma, the state governor.
On March 20, the embattled traditional leader reposted the article on Ideato Voice, a WhatsApp group network.
The platform’s administrator, Vitus Ezenwa, said that the king had been apprehended by the police on Wednesday and confirmed that the monarch had been arrested.
Ezenwa claimed that once the police detained the traditional leader, they first arrested him and then released him on bail.
The king is currently being kept in police custody, according to what he told our correspondent, and the article’s header read, “Gov Hope Uzodimma in a fresh scandal.”
According to the publisher, the media content discusses the 2018 All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Imo State and the role played by the late Ahmed Gulak.
Ezenwa said, “My name is Nze Dr Vitus Ezenwa. I am the publisher of Ideato Voice newspapers. Quote me if necessary. I am a witness to this. I was arrested by the police over the post because I am the administrator of the platform where it was made, the Ideato Voice platform. I was detained until the royal father was arrested and currently detained.
“He is currently at Anti Kidnapping Unit. Tiger Base. The post was made on March 20. The police granted me bail after the traditional ruler was arrested. I was asked to be reporting to the police station everyday till further notice”
Henry Okoye, a spokesperson for the state’s police, verified the king’s detention. He did however say that the situation was being investigated.
