Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Lami Danladi Ogenyi, has dissociated herself from an alleged assassination attempt on the deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese.
Ogenyi in a statement by her Press Secretary, Agbaji Samuel Atsonwu said Agbese who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue State allegedly stated that preliminary investigation pointed to her involvement in the purported assassination attempt, citing that the Deputy Speaker’s official vehicle was found with one of the culprits.
“In the wake of the alleged assassination attempt on the House of Representatives member for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Agbese, eight suspects, yesterday April 8th, 2024, were reportedly remanded in prison by a Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi after being arraigned by the police prosecuting officer, Daniel Kwaghlaade.
“Those arraigned and remanded were : Peter Gilbert, Pius Aboh, Awuru Sunday, Gabriel Ojoko, Paul Ochigbo, Yusuf Ajibo, Cyril Egwu and Daniel Odoh. It will be recalled that Agbese had on Thursday alleged that he escaped an assassination attempt at Igumale where he had gone to share Easter packages for his constituents.
“Recall also that, Agbese had asserted that preliminary investigation pointed to the Deputy Speaker of the 10th Benue Assembly, Chief Hon.Mrs Lami Danladi Ogenyi’s involvement in the purported assassination attempt, citing that the Deputy Speaker’s official vehicle was found with one of the culprits; a claim that Agbese had failed to provide the public with substantial evidence,” the statement read in parts.
The Benue deputy speaker maintained that the scripted game by Agbese and his camp is solely an attempt to put a dent on her name hence he did not wait to give room for proper Police investigation before the allegation.
“Hon. Lami Danladi Ogenyi is a law abiding and peace loving Nigerian whose integrity has never been questioned before and will never get involved in any act capable of ruining her reputation.
“The arraignment of the supposed suspects allegedly involved in the assassination attempt on Agbese by the Police Prosecuting Officer without due investigation and presenting the public with evidence of the claims goes to show just how much Agbese desperately wants to witch hunt those whom he ought to represent and protect in a positive light. “Amongst other charges, the young men were charged for possession of firearms. However, until now, the police is yet to make available for public consumption, the firearms recovered from the said suspects as it’s customary to the Nigerian Police who delight in parading suspects with implicating items found on them. This has raised another serious concern and questions over the entire story from the HoR member and his camp.
“Hon. Lami Danladi Ogenyi hates injustice and oppression and will not be quiet when and where evil is being perpetrated. Hence, her rebuttal on the unverified claim by Agbese and the quick arraignment and detention of innocent young men without due investigation.
“We believe and urge that the judiciary, being the last hope of the common man and the instrument for the interpretation of the law, will do due diligence and prove itself once more as the last hope of the common man.
“Until then, the public shall continue to speak against these unethical and unconstitutional abuse of privilege and power against those who are supposed to be protected,” the statement reads.
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