PDP protests unlawful arrest of lawmaker

Following the arrest of a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Friday Sani of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), by the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), PDP members in the state are claiming the arrest politically motivated.

The counsel to Sani, John Adele, told journalists in Lokoja on Saturday,May 16, that the lawmaker was arrested on Friday, May 15, along the Odolu-Nsukka road.

Adele said his client had gone to Nsukka to make some purchases in readiness for the annual Odolu Day, of which he is a chief promoter.

The counsel said that the policemen shot at the tyres of his client’s vehicle, so as to be able to effect the arrest on what he described as "spurious allegations”.

He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to intervene and ensure the release of Sani, pending further investigations.

"We will not encourage him to flout the law. He is prepared to stand trial. "

Also speaking on the issue, Isah Adejo, the Chairman of the PDP in the Igalamela/ Odolu Local Government Area alleged that the arrest was masterminded by his opponents in the April 11 State House of Assembly election.

He said that the PDP will resist any attempt to deny Sani the mandate freely given to him by the people, adding that anybody that is aggrieved about the outcome of the election should seek redress at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

A member of the Odolu community, Sunday Ogu described the arrest of Sani on the eve of the annual Odolu Day as an "unfortunate and sad development”.

He appealed for the immediate release of Sani, whom he described as "a good community man,” saying his arrest had thrown the entire community into sorrow.

The Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, failed to pick several phone calls made to get his reaction to the development.