Enugu commissioner arrested on state Assembly’s order

By Tony Edike

ENUGU—THE Enugu State Commissioner for Poverty Reduction and Human Development, Mr. Godwin Ogenyi, was yesterday arrested by the police on the orders of the State House of Assembly for allegedly showing disrespect to  the lawmakers.

Ogenyi was invited by the House to appear before it yesterday to give some explanations regarding the government’s efforts to alleviate the plight of those affected by the ban on motorcycles in the state but he failed to show up.

Although Vanguard learnt that he was seen within the premises of the State Assembly about an hour before the sitting, the commissioner could not be seen by the lawmakers until they adjourned sitting to Thursday.

Worried by the attitude of the commissioner, the lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution directing that a warrant of arrest be issued against him and the police was immediately directed to ensure that he was arrested and brought to the House on Thursday.

But soon after the House adjourned, the commissioner, who was apparently alerted about the development, was seen rushing into the Assembly complex but the police wasted no time in apprehending him.

Ogenyi was whisked away by security operatives who took him to the State Police Criminal Investigation Department where he was detained for some minutes before he was granted bail on self recognition.

It was also gathered that some top government officials who were alerted about the development stormed the Police Headquarters to ensure that Ogenyi was not kept behind bars, even as necessary contacts were made to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Daura, who reportedly intervened later.

When contacted on telephone yesterday, Ogenyi confirmed his arrest but said there was nothing unusual about the development, admitting that he was wrong by not appearing before the lawmakers when he was called upon.

He blamed his absence on nature’s call which forced him to return to his office after he had arrived the house even before the sitting for the scheduled dialogue on the activities of his ministry.