From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ABAKALIKI
Ebonyi State government has confirmed the arrest of the State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Simbad Ogbuatu, over his alleged involvement in the kidnap and murder of the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Francis Igwe.
Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this at the weekend while speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late monarch.
The late Igwe, father of former deputy governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted by suspected kidnappers and later died in their custody after sustaining injuries from a physical assault allegedly carried out by the leader of the gang.
According to the Governor, Mr. Ogbuatu came under investigation after security agencies traced a bank account allegedly used in the ransom negotiations to him.
Nwifuru said the information linking the APC publicity secretary to the case was first brought to his attention during a party meeting.
He explained that the matter was still under investigation when security operatives sought approval to arrest the suspect.
“During our party meeting, somebody whispered to me that the money paid was linked to the Publicity Secretary of the APC. I asked ‘What?’ They said they were still investigating it but wanted to know if they should go ahead with his arrest. I approved”, the Governor said.
He added that although he initially believed the claim might be frivolous, he instructed security operatives to bring the suspect in for questioning.
Nwifuru said Ogbuatu initially avoided arrest after security operatives tracked him late at night, promising to present himself the following morning.
However, he was later picked up by the police for interrogation.
According to the Governor, the suspect admitted during questioning that he provided his bank account details after being contacted by one of the suspects, who was said to be his personal assistant.
The APC spokesman reportedly told investigators that he was asked to provide the account by the aide and that he did so without knowing the full circumstances surrounding the request.
But investigators became suspicious after the suspect allegedly claimed the money expected to be paid into the account was related to proceeds from a land transaction.
“He said one of his boys, his personal assistant, called him to give an account, and he gave the account the assistant asked him to give. Later he said the account was for money from a land sale of about N200 million”, the Governor explained.
The police later used the suspect’s phone to communicate with members of the kidnap gang as part of efforts to track them down.
Nwifuru said one of the kidnappers eventually called the phone and accused the suspect of collecting ransom money without sharing it with the gang.
The Governor said the police immediately instructed Ogbuatu on what to say during the conversation in order to lure the suspects out.
“He was told to ask them where they were so they could meet and share the money”, Nwifuru said.
Following the conversation, the police arranged a meeting point and laid an ambush.
Members of the kidnap gang who arrived at the location expecting to collect their share of the ransom were subsequently arrested.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they contacted Ogbuatu through one of their members who worked as his personal assistant.
According to the governor, the suspects claimed they informed the APC official that the money to be paid into the account was ransom from a kidnapping operation.
“They said the person who contacted him told him they had abducted somebody, and that was how they contacted Simbad, and he provided the account for the ransom payment”, Nwifuru said.
Security agencies are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the monarch and the alleged role of those linked to the crime.
Meanwhile, the APC leadership in the state has expressed shock over Mr. Ogbuatu’s alleged role in the Ebonyi traditional ruler’s kidnap and killing.
The Ebonyi APC chairman, Stanley Okoro-Emegha expressed shock on Saturday when he led a party delegation on a condolence visit to Igwe’s family in Ndufu-Alike.
Okoro-Emegha said the news of the party executive’s complicity was so shocking that he could not face the public.
“The report is unheard of, as I do not have the confidence to face the public since the past two days.
“Members of the party cannot believe in their entire lives that the party can be associated with such an act.
“We operate as a family to the extent that someone can vouch for another despite our normal party activities”, he said.
The party chairman insisted that it would support the decision of the state government on the matter in getting justice for the Igwe family.
He urged the deputy governor to be consoled because being strong would inspire consolation in those around him.
The palace secretary, Johnson Aloh thanked the party for the visit, noting that the palace and community were totally devastated over the incident.
Aloh regretted that such an act was perpetrated in Ebonyi when the state had become a model among states and a haven of peace.
