The Commissioner for Poverty Reduction and Human Development in Enugu State, Mr Godwin Ogenyi, was yesterday arrested by policemen on the orders of the State House of Assembly for allegedly showing disrespect to the lawmakers.
The commissioner had declined showing up at the assembly after being invited to explain the efforts of the government to alleviate the plight of those affected by the ban on motorcycles by the state government.
It was learnt that despite the fact that he was at the premises of the House of Assembly an hour before sitting, the lawmakers could not sight him which forced them to adjourn to Thursday.
This caused them to unanimously pass a resolution directing that an arrest warrant be issued against him and the police was immediately directed to carry out the attack.
Shortly after the house adjourned, the commissioner was seen rushing into the complex having been alerted of the development, at which point the policemen present arrested him.
He was whisked away by security operatives to the State Criminal Investigation Department where he was detained for some time before being released on self-recognition.
It was also gathered that some top government officials who were alerted about the development stormed the Police Headquarters to ensure that Ogenyi was not kept behind bars, even as necessary contacts were made to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Daura, who reportedly intervened later.
When contacted on telephone yesterday, Ogenyi confirmed his arrest but said there was nothing unusual about the development, admitting that he was wrong by not appearing before the lawmakers when he was called upon.
He blamed his absence on nature’s call which forced him to return to his office after he had arrived the house even before the sitting for the scheduled dialogue on the activities of his ministry.
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