Amaechi behind REC’s arrest – Family

AMAECHI OKONKWO
The family of the embattled Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gesila Khan, has accused former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, of being behind the arrest of Khan by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Khan’s family, from Peretoru in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, made the allegation in a statement yesterday in Yenagoa.

The statement was signed by the family spokesperson, Okubama Johnbull.

It alleged that information at its disposal revealed that it was after Amaechi visited the Director General of the DSS that Khan was arrested.

The family said, “We, as a responsible family, know where this onslaught is coming from.

“We have it on good authority that it was the visit of the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, to the DSS director that prompted the invitation of Mrs. Khan.”

The Khan’s family decried what it described as the arrest, detention, harassment, and intimidation of the REC over her role in the last elections in Rivers.

It also alleged that the REC was being forced “to write an undertaking to turn the results of the Rivers State general elections in favour of the All Progressives Congress, the ruling party at the national level”.

The family wondered why the DSS would single her out for victimisation and intimidation when election petition tribunals were handling matters concerning the last general elections.

It further expressed concern that Khan “who is diagnosed of hypertension and diabetics,” had been denied her medication in detention, a development it claimed, was affecting her health.

The family appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and caution the DSS to allow due process and the rule of law to prevail in Khan’s travail.

It also called on human rights organisations and public-spirited individuals to come to her aide, insisting that Khan’s arrest and detention were not lawful.