Those remanded included a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih; a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi; a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Lucky Imasuen; and one Efe Anthony.
They had been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on eight charges bordering on alleged money laundering in the sum of N700m before Justice P. I. Adjokwu.
In a press statement in Benin today (Friday), Edo PDP Spokesman, Mr. Chris Nehikhare alleged that Governor Obaseki instructed the state ministry of land not to verify the party leaders’ document for the facilitation of the bail bond.
“Since 8am Edo State government have refused to sign all documents for edo PDP leaders bail, for obvious political differences.
“Acting on the instructions of Governor Godwin Obaseki, all the documents relating to the verification were locked up in Hon. Evboumwan’s office,” Nehikhare alleged.
This obvious action to deny us Justice, he posited, is malicious and an infantile and irresponsible political vendetta.
“We condemn Edo State government decision to play politics with peoples rights.
“We want to assure all our party members that our leaders in this unjust captivity are in good spirits. They urge you to remain steadfast and committed to the just course of mobilising to vote out APC in the next coming elections.
“As it is becoming obvious that they will not do the needful, they have elected to sign only that of Chief Lucky Imasuen because of his current membership of APC. Lucky Imasuen has insisted that his own cannot be separated from the rest of those charged with him.
“APC should fight corruption and Not Opposition.”
