Ikpeama was accused of selling federal government palliatives meant for the Ejemekwuru autonomous community.
The monarch petitioned the Oguta divisional police headquarters, alleging that Ikpeama sold 20 bags of corn and five bags of garri meant for the community.
According to The Nigerian Tribune, Eze Duru described Ikpeama’s action as sabotage of the federal and state government’s efforts to alleviate his community’s suffering.
The arrest occurred on Wednesday, August 21, at the Oguta police division. The incident happened following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to distribute essential food supplies to state and local authorities across the country.
Eze Duru explained that he recalled President Tinubu recently distributed trillions of food items, including bags of rice, corn, and garri, to be shared among vulnerable citizens. Ikpeama allegedly sold the palliative items to local merchants instead of distributing them to the needy, sparking outrage among town elders.
The police said an investigation was ongoing. The community hopes for justice and that the rightful beneficiaries receive the support they need.
Ikpeama denied the allegations, claiming he shared the food items with five principal villages instead of the 23 villages in the community, and was released from police custody with instructions to reconcile differences and report back.
TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that the Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal of the PDP and its November 11 governorship candidate in Imo, Samuel Anyawu.
Anyawu and the PDP asked the court to sack Governor Hope Uzodimma, but the apex court ruled that their appeal lacked merit.
Recall that Uzodimma emerged as governor of Imo through the Supreme Court after coming fourth in the 2019 governorship election in the state.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
