Sen Uzodinma, sister fingered in poll fraud

Senator representing Imo West, Hope Uzodinma was on Saturday arrested for alleged electoral malpractices at Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State by a combined team of policemen and soldiers.

Uzodima who is a notable supporter of Governor Okorocha’s main challenger, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, deputy speaker, House of Representatives of the PDP was picked up alongside his sister, but later released on self-recognition.

He allegedly mobilised hoodlums who set bonfires on the road to prevent the security men from taking away the suspects, and it took a reinforcement of soldiers and men of the Department of State Security to rescue the policemen and take the suspects to the Police Headquarters in Owerri, where they were detained.

Also, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Job Doma, arrested 25 officials of INEC in the state for alleged thumb printing of ballot papers during the exercise. Some of the suspects were said to have been picked after a tip off at Osu Primary School, Omuma, where they were allegedly engaged in massive thumb printing for one of the political parties.

Also arrested were fake INEC officials who posed as Returning Officers at the Collation Centre.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State, Mr. Mike Igini, who was in the INEC team deployed for the election, said some INEC officials were arrested at Umumma Primary School Ward 10, Polling Unit 008, 003 and three others.

“Myself, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police have arrested poll officials in Oru-East involved in mass thumb printing and are now being taken to Owerri.

“Upon my suspicion, I caught an impostor who claimed to be INEC staff without proof, acting as a presiding officer; l ordered his arrest and it was executed by the Police,” Igini said.

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