Sabongidda-Ora (Edo) —The crisis rocking Owan West Local Government Area chapter of Action Congress (AC) in Edo State took another dimension with the arrest of the council’s former Vice Chairman, Mr. Monday Ogbeta by the  Police.

Ogbeta was arrested, weekend, along with three other chieftains of the party in the area over a petition purportedly written by the suspended chairman of the party in the local government, Mr. Patrick Ojo.

It will be recalled that Ojo was suspended in July over a petition that indicted him of financial impropriety, high handedness, insolence and other sundry allegations.

However, Ojo fought back by subsequently filing an injunction against his removal before an Edo State High Court sitting Benin City.

In the petition addressed to the Area Commander in Auchi, the embattled chairman alleged threat to his life. Among those mentioned in the petition were the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Pally Iriase, and Special Adviser on Party Matters to the Governor, Mr Odion Ejeire.

Allegation

The suspended chairman alleged that the named persons had invaded his home on Saturday night and shot sporadically to kill him.

The Police officers, who arrested the council’s former official and three others, were from the Auchi Area Command.
After the four suspects were picked up, they were temporarily detained behind the counter of the Sabongidda-Ora Police Station before they were eventually moved to Auchi.

Meanwhile, a Police source who spoke with newsmen said they were not arrested, but only invited for questioning regarding the petition and would be released thereafter.

Police didi not arrest Odion Ejerei, Pally Iriase and Chief Shagari Oni, who were reportedly not in the council when the Police visited.