Posted by VINCENT ADEKOYE, Benin on
FORMER Commissioner for Information and Chairman of Oredo local government area of Edo State, Mr. Victor Ebomoyi was arrested yesterday by the police for alleged complicity in the recent murder of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Mr. Felix Eboigbe.
FORMER Commissioner for Information and Chairman of Oredo local government area of Edo State, Mr. Victor Ebomoyi was arrested yesterday by the police for alleged complicity in the recent murder of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Mr. Felix Eboigbe.
His arrest was effected barely 48 hours after he exonerated himself of any role in the killing of the former councillor, also of Oredo council.
The late Mr. Eboigbe was killed near his residence in Benin City, the state capital, by unknown gunmen last Thursday few hours after he indicated his intention to contest chairmanship of Oredo council in 2007.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muktar Abass confirmed the arrest in a telephone interview with Daily Champion, saying that it was part of measures to unmask Eboigbe's killers.
Before his arrest the embattled council boss had been having running battle with some of the elected councillors.
The face-off climaxed last week Wednesday in the suspension of one of the councillors, Mr. Chris Okaeben over an alleged unruly behaviour.
Eboigbe was lured from his house in the evening of last Thursday by some persons after which his lifeless body was found in front of the house some hours later.
According to his widow Kate the deceased was "hale and hearty before that night."
Addressing newsmen at the council, however on Monday shortly after series of protests that rocked the council over the killing, the chairman, Mr. Ebomoyi, said the late Eboigbe, before his untimely death was invited by officials of the state security Service (SSS), Benin, following his (Ebomoyi's) report that he was pasting some defamatory materials about him around the city.
Ebomoyi claimed that one of his aides followed the SSS operatives to the house of the late Eboigbe to arrest him.
"He was interrogated and statement obtained from him after which he was released on bail. I have no hand in his death," he stated.
A source at the state Police Command also disclosed that the SSS official who effected the arrest of the late PDP chieftain has also been arrested.
Edo police boss, Abass, promised that all those that had interaction with the late politician would be invited as investigation progresses.
The troubled council chairman first served as commissioner for Information, Education and late chairman of Post Primary Education Board in the state before becoming the chairman of Oredo council.