From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Benue State has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of condescending low to order the arrest and prosecution of a social media member of the party Paul Terhemba Gyenger.
Paul, according to the party’s Publicity Secretary Bemgba Iortyom during an interview with newsmen on Saturday, is said to have written on his Facebook page, alleging that the Governor has misappropriated the 2 billion naira Federal Government palliative given to the State.
Bemgba also, accused the Governor of running the State as a sole adminstrator and authoritarian ruler.
Hear him,”the petition is from the Chambers of Mnyim and the content states clearly that they are under the explicit briefs of the Governor of Benue State to the effect to request the Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute Paul Terhemba Gyenger for having written in a social media post alleging that Governor Hyacinth Alia has misappropriated the 2 billion naira for the people of the State.
“So, the Governor felt that he has been injured and maligned in the eyes of the people and on the basis of that, he is aggrieved and asked the Police to arrest and prosecute the young man. We are surprised why he has not approached the court which would be faster for him to get justice if actually justice is what he is looking for but he has decided to go through the police. The Police have denied the bail and by Monday, he would have been held in detention for 72 hours which is against his fundamental human rights. We will be looking at that aspect when we approach the court to seek justice for the young man who has been so arrested.
“This Govérnor has the time to go to the police on an issue that ordinarily should be considered as civil in nature because you are looking at a case of a citizen having written in public space questioning the application of public funds and the Governor has instituted a petition to arrest and prosecute this young man.”
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