A MAGISTRATE’S court has remanded a former deputy governor of Imo State, Gerald Irona, in prison custody.
Irona, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, was remanded on Thursday, March 9.
After hearing from the defence and prosecution attorneys, the presiding magistrate, C. N. Ezerioha, issued an order remanding Irona in the Owerri Correctional Center.
The charge over which the former deputy governor was arraigned before the magistrate’s court was not disclosed but it was gathered the judge ruled that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Reports say Irona was arrested at his Owerri residence by security operatives on Wednesday, March 8, and detained at the Imo State Police Command headquarters.
Security operatives from the Police Command arrested the former deputy governor at his house in Owerri.
According to sources, Irona was detained due to a court order secured by the state government.
In a chat with the ICIR, the Imo state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Henry Okoye said Irona was arrested and charged for making away with seven vehicles belonging to the State Government after he left office.
“He left with seven vehicles belonging to the government after his tenure. He refused to hand over the cars in his possession.
“Governor Uzodinma’s government told him to return them, but he refused.
“I don’t know of any other thing, but I am sure of the vehicles,” Okoye said.
Okoye said four of the vehicles have been recovered by the Police.
“We have recovered four of the vehicles from him. Nobody is above the law. Nobody is above the law. He doesn’t have immunity,” he added.
Irona was deputy governor to former Governor Emeka Ihedioha during his short tenure.
A reporter with the ICIR
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