The presiding magistrate, C. N Ezerioha, said that the court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the matter against Irona.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Magistrates’ Court in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, ordered the remand of a former deputy governor of the state, Gerald Irona, in prison custody.
The presiding magistrate, C. N Ezerioha, said that the court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the matter against Irona.
She then ordered that the ex-deputy governor be remanded in Owerri correctional centre.
Irona was on Wednesday arrested in Owerri by the operatives of Imo State Police Command.
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In separate statements, his spokesperson and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the Hope Uzodimma administration of masterminding the arrest so as to cut his influence ahead of the March 11 election.
Irona was arrested before INEC announced the postponement of elections by one week.
Reacting to the allegations, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communication, Collins Ughalaa, in a statement issued on Wednesday said that Uzodimma does not interfere with the affairs of the police.
He described the allegation as “baseless and unfounded”.
”It is unfortunate that the ex-deputy governor’s spokesperson could make such an unfounded claim. The governor does not interfere with the affairs of the police. He respects the rule of law. The governor nor the Imo State Government have no hands in the arrest of the ex deputy governor,” Ughalaa said.
