.Substances suspected to be Indian Hemp found at his residence
The Imo State Police Command Thursday arrested the General Manager of Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, Mr. Iheanyi Abaekwume for his alleged involvement in criminal activities.
A statement signed by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs Joy Elemoko, disclosed that the government official was arrested at his residence in Aladinma area of Owerri.
Residents were surprised at the heavy presence of policemen in the area during the arrest.
She added that during the police search at his residence, some prohibited items were recovered in his house. Nigeria Newspoint gathered that an un-licensed gun and some substances suspected to be Indian hemp were found at the residence of the OCDA boss.
She also claimed that the police acted on the various petitions that were submitted to the command, demanding that the police investigate the OCDA boss for some crime-related activities in the state.
Mrs Elemoko maintained that in the meantime, the OCDA boss is still remanded in police custody until proper investigations were conducted and concluded.
The police command however reiterated its commitment to arrest anybody either highly placed or ordinary person involved in any act of crime in the state.
Also contacted, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Mohammad Musa Katsina also confirmed the arrest of Mr. Abakwume and the recovery of some weapons in the custody of the OCDA boss.
Reacting to the arrest, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo said the arrest of the OCDA boss is condemnable and unacceptable.
He explained that the police have the right to arrest somebody when they think he has breached the law but it must be done with civility. He said the OCDA boss is an agent of the State Government and the police were expected to put that into consideration.
Onwuemeodo stressed that the Imo State Police Command has been enjoying good relationship with the State Government and it is the wish of the government that such understanding should remain.
Owerri Capital Development Agency, OCDA, is a state agency saddled with the responsibility of redesigning and maintaining the master plan of Owerri, the Imo State capital city. It has been involved in the demolition of structures said to be illegal in parts of the state.
