The Nigeria Police Force, Imo State command, has arrested a former Special Adviser to the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Special Duties, Chinasa Nwaneri, for alleged forgery and illegal use of the state government’s authority.
Confirming the arrest of Uzodimma’s former trusted political ally on Monday in Owerri, the state capital, the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed that Nwaneri was picked over suspected malicious damages, fraudulent activities, obtaining money under false pretence and illegal use of the state government’s power and authority to harass and intimidate the people of the state.
Okoye informed that the embattled ex governor’s strongest man was arrested alongside with the ISAMATA president and three others.
The police spokesperson said, “Be informed that a former Governor’s Aide, Chinasa Nwaneri, ISAMATA President and three others were arrested over an allegation of malicious damage, fraudulent activities, obtaining money under false pretence and illegal use of government power/authority to harass, intimidate and frustrate the citizens of Imo State.
“Investigation is ongoing; further development will be communicated in due course.”
Nwaneri was on Saturday arrested at his Hotel room in Rockview in Owerri.
He was immediately taken to the State Bureau of investigation of the command for interrogation.
Though not confirmed, a source said that Nwaneri was arrested and detained on the order of a court.
Nwaneri had been fingered in multiple land racketeering deals in the state, making the governor to drop him towards the end of his first term in office.
The controversies surrending the issue led to the arrest and detaintion of the immediate past commissioners for land, Nobel Atulegwu and Housing, Love Inn at the state police command in 2023Â and their subsequent sackings from the state executive council by the governor.