Labour Party Senatorial Candidate remanded in prison amid campaign

Linus Okorie, the Labour Party's Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial district has been remanded in prison by the Ebonyi State Magistrate Court.

Magistrate Linda Ogodo made the remand order on Tuesday, for lack of jurisdiction in the charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and murder preferred against Okorie brought before her, SaharaReporters said.

Okorie was charged on April 5, 2022 for conspiring with others to commit 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.

According to the court charges No. MAB/574/2022, Okorie and the act of the others who are currently at large led to the death of Mr Donatus Okoro.

The offence is punishable under section 319 of the criminal code law, Cap 33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi 2009.

Speaking to the press in Abakaliki, the state capital, Chikodili Nome, the lead Counsel for the embattled senatorial aspirant said the charges were intended to distract his client and supporters from the forthcoming February election. He also alleged that the state government is resorting to self-help.

According to him, some charges are within the magistrate's jurisdiction to entertain and grant bail.

He said, “We have seen details of the charges. What happened here today is abuse to judicial proceedings.

“Anyone who is not comfortable with the judgement should go to court of Appeal and not to resort to self-help,” Nome said.

The court ordered the remand of the defendants at the correctional centre, pending issuance of legal advice and adjourned the matter to November 4, 2022.

NBA