Nome also alleged that the state government was resorting to self-help as Okorie is contesting the same senatorial seat as Governor David Umahi.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Magistrate’s Court in Ebonyi has remanded Linus Okorie, the Ebonyi Labour Party Senatorial candidate and ex-lawmaker, at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Abakaliki for alleged conspiracy and murder.
Magistrate Linda Ogodo gave the order on Tuesday over lack of jurisdiction.
The accused was charged on April 5, 2022, for allegedly conspiring with others to commit felony to murder, promoting inter-communal war and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 516A of Criminal Code Law, Cap 33 volume 1 Law of Ebonyi 2009.
The count charges No. MAB/574/2022 against Okorie and others at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magistrate district, unlawfully caused the death of Donatus Okoro.
The alleged offence is punishable under section 319 of the criminal code law, Cap 33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi 2009.
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Okorie’s lawyer, Chikodili Nome, had argued that the charges against his client were to keep him behind bars and weaken him and his supporters.
Nome also alleged that the state government was resorting to self-help as Okorie is contesting the same senatorial seat as Governor David Umahi.
“We have seen details of the charges. What happened here today is abuse of judicial proceedings.
“Anyone who is not comfortable with the judgement should go to the Court of Appeal and not resort to self-help,” Nome told reporters.
The court ordered the remand of the defendants pending issuance of legal advice and adjourned the matter for November 4, 2022.
