Ex-Imo Deputy Governor, Irona Regains Freedom

Former deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr Gerald Irona, has been released from the Owerri Correctional Centre eight days after he was remanded.

Irona was arraigned on Wednesday before an Owerri High Court on a three count charge bordering on treason, felony, and conversion of official cars to private use.

He was arraigned before a magistrate court last week Thursday when the court ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the charges preferred against him.

Erstwhile spokesman for Irona, Dr Walter Duru, confirmed the release.

According to him, a Federal High Court in Abuja had granted Irona bail, adding that already, the authorities at the Owerri Correctional Centre had complied with the release.

Irona’s travails started last Wednesday when security operatives arrested him from his New Owerri premises and refused to release him.

His media consultants had in a statement accused Governor Hope Uzodimma for the ordeal.

In another development, the state commissioner of police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has declared Irona, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and Ikenga Ugochinyere Imo wanted for murder.