Get Guardian on GoogleThe Bende Socio-Political Forum (BSPF), a socio-political organisation in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, has said the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, cannot be held personally responsible for the prosecution and reported detention of Emenike Okorie, insisting that the ongoing criminal proceedings are being handled by the police.
The organisation said attempts to portray Kalu as personally persecuting Okorie over alleged political differences misrepresented the legal proceedings before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its President, Hon. David Munachi, and Secretary, Comrade Nnamdi Ikechukwu, the forum said the charge sheet in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/710/2026 identified the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as the complainant and Okorie as the defendant.
It argued that Kalu’s position as a nominal complainant did not make him the prosecuting authority or establish that he personally ordered Okorie’s arrest or detention.
The forum therefore urged commentators and political stakeholders to examine the court documents and allow the judicial process to determine the issues rather than rely on competing narratives circulating on social media.
It also faulted attempts to make Okorie’s reported physical disability the central issue in the controversy, maintaining that disability does not confer immunity from criminal investigation or prosecution.
The organisation, however, stressed that Okorie’s dignity, medical needs, welfare and constitutional rights must be respected throughout the judicial process.
“Being physically challenged does not place anybody above the law or automatically exempt a person from answering allegations of criminal conduct. Persons living with disabilities deserve dignity and equal protection under the law, but disability cannot become a blanket immunity against prosecution,” the statement said.
The group emphasised that the allegations against Okorie remained unproven, noting that he was presumed innocent until established otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.
It added that the prosecution had the responsibility to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt before any conviction could be secured.
The forum also drew attention to allegations contained in the charge sheet concerning publications on the Umuhu Ezechi Development Union WhatsApp platform.
According to the group, Okorie allegedly described Kalu as a scammer and accused him of involvement in the diversion of N348 million purportedly meant for a garri-processing plant in Umuhu Ezechi.
It also cited another alleged publication in which the Deputy Speaker was described as an ‘aza man’ accused of defrauding people in South Africa and Australia.
The organisation said allegations involving the diversion of community funds and financial impropriety were serious matters that should be supported by verifiable evidence.
It challenged anyone alleging that community funds had been misappropriated to produce relevant financial records, audit reports, bank transactions and other documentary evidence.
“The burden of proof in the criminal proceedings rests on the prosecution. However, anybody who publicly accuses another person of stealing hundreds of millions of naira, defrauding communities or engaging in criminal activities should be prepared to substantiate such claims with credible evidence. Serious allegations require serious evidence, not social media campaigns,” the statement said.
The forum further argued that Kalu’s position as Deputy Speaker did not deprive him of his individual rights, including the right to protect his reputation, integrity, family name and public standing.
While acknowledging that public office holders should remain open to scrutiny, it said legitimate criticism must be distinguished from potentially defamatory allegations and threats.
The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as attempts by some political interests to exploit the controversy to undermine Kalu’s public standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It questioned the intervention of a social media commentator, Mezie, whom it accused of focusing on Okorie’s physical condition while criticising the Deputy Speaker.
The group argued that concerns about the welfare of persons living with disabilities should be upheld consistently, irrespective of political affiliations or disagreements.
It maintained that nobody should be subjected to unlawful treatment, but insisted that disability should not be used to prevent legitimate judicial scrutiny.
The forum called on the police and the judiciary to handle the matter professionally, transparently and without political interference, while ensuring that Okorie’s fundamental rights and welfare were protected.
It also urged the media to exercise caution in reporting the case by distinguishing between allegations contained in the charge sheet, claims by interested parties and facts established through judicial proceedings.
The organisation maintained that political disagreements should not become grounds for making unsubstantiated criminal allegations against individuals.
It concluded that Kalu should not be held responsible for prosecutorial decisions being undertaken by the police, insisting that the court remained the appropriate forum for determining the allegations against Okorie.
