From Chuks Onuoha,Umuahia.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, has denied his involvement in the arrest and detention of one Prince Dan Iyke as being rumoured.
Chukwu spoke through a statement signed by his Personal Assistant, Orji Francis Okpe.
According to him, his attention was drawn to reports making the rounds that he masterminded the arrest and detention of Prince Iyke which he described as untrue.
“This allegation is unfounded , because the purveyors of such information went to the public without verifying their reports. I have no hand in Prince Dan Iyke’s arrest.
“Those accusing me of masterminding his arrest should rather contact the police to ascertain why he is being detained. I have no hand in his arrest”, the deputy governor explained,’’ he stressed.
He disclosed that journalists as the conscience of the society must focus on developmental practice to ensure factual reportage . Chukwu advised them to investigate their sources of news thoroughly and balance their reports before dishing it out to the reading public.
The deputy governor urged journalists to be objective and unbiased with their reportage in line with the ethics of their profession.
The deputy governor was reacting to reports linking him with the arrest and detention of one Prince Iyke in Ohafia, Abia State.
He condemned the incessant attack on public office holders by media practitioners who he alleged publish without verifying their facts and lamented that several public office holders have been condemned in the public without having the opportunity to react to allegations made against them .
He urged media practitioners to resist the urge to vilify public office holders and strive to verify their reports before going to the press .