Opposition mounts against law empowering Imo governor to detain at will

Opposition is mounting against the new law in Imo giving the governor powers to detain anyone at will.

The New Administration of Criminal Justice Law was passed by the state assembly last week, but is being opposed because of a “Section 484, 485” said to have be smuggled into it before the governor’s assent.

Last week, Frank Ugboma, a deputy minority leader in Imo assembly, was first to reject the law.

He had sponsored the bill during the tenure of former governor Emeka Ihedioha.

He said the section 484 was not part of the bill that was signed into law, but was surreptitiously smuggled into the law as presented by the State House of Assembly for the governor’s signature.

Former deputy speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Okey Onyekanma, representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, said that section  484 of the Imo ACJL 2020 did not pass through Imo House of Assembly.

Also, the opposition People’s Democratic Party, in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Ogubundu Nwadike,  has described the new law as autocratic and dictatorial.

Lately, a group, Save Imo, has written to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State asking him to repeal the new administration of criminal justice law.

Founder of the group, Ebubeagu Ekenulo, said that Imo people were not comfortable with both controversial sections of the new law.

“Hon Ugboma has boldy told the whole world and particularly Ndi Imo that sections 484,485 were not part of the original bill he sponsored and went further to allege that these sections were smuggled in.

“These sections 484,485 have become unprecedentedly controversial and not acceptable to majority of Ndi Imo whom you are their governor.”

The group implored the governor to repeal the law and withdraw his assent.