Alleged Arrest: Ika South Council Boss Refutes Media Reports

 I Was Neither Arrested Nor Detained

The Executive Chairman, Ika South Local Government council, Delta State, Mr. Fred Ofume has refuted reports by some sections of the media, particularly the social media alleging that he was arrested recently by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS) for allegedly ordering the demolition of the property of one Mr. Alex Ikpeazu valued at Over N100 Million.

Addressing journalists at the weekend in his country home, Agbor, the administrative headquarters of the Council, Ofume, while describing the allegation as baseless, false and unfounded, said he has never been arrested by any law enforcement agency on any issue bothering on threat to life, malicious damage or any other misdemeanours acts as claimed by the report which according to him, originated from Sahara Reporters.

Putting the records straight, the council boss said "It is true that the Council, Ika South Local Government council has been having crisis with One Mr Alex Ikpeazu over the true owner of a piece of land measuring over 7,000 square meters, and the case has been in court.

"Because every documented evidence available to us (the council) shows that the disputed piece of land which currently has some property sitting on it, particularly the popular Musa Market in the area which Mr. Akpeazu has, over the years been collecting revenue illegally, the council, recently took deliberate move to recover the said piece of land where we (the council) plan to build an ultra-modern "Neighbourhood market" in the area.

"Following the development, he (Mr. Ikpeazu) petitioned the Inspector General of Police alleging that myself, the vice Chairman of the council, Mr. Francis Ogbini as well as the head of the revenue unit of the council, Mr. Chuks Irabor were threatening his life just as, according to him, we also, maliciously damaged his property.

"Based on the petition, we were invited by the Police at force headquarters, area 10, Abuja. But unfortunately, the date the police asked us to come was not convenient to us and we wrote asking for another date which they obliged us.

"But funny enough, before the agreed date, he (Mr. Ikpeazu) arranged with another set of police from same Force headquarters, area 10 Abuja, with the intention to arrest and detain us under the pretence that we failed to honour the first invitation.

"consequently, we were invited to the Force headquarters Asaba where the police obtained our statements and advised us to ensure we honour the invite by the Force headquarters, area 10 Abuja on our agreed date with the police which was 31st May, this year. And we were allowed to return to our homes that same day.

"Three days later which was 31st May, the agreed date, we were all at the Force Headquarters and the drama that played out was indeed a funny one. To cut the long story short, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) warn sternly that the police should stay action on the matter untill the court rules on that particular portion of the piece of land that is currently in court.

"So, to say that we were arrested is completely false as it was a calculated move to whoop up public sentiments" Ofume alleged, adding that the matter, contrary to allegation, has no political interest save the interest of the council.