Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Orders Police Arrest Of Physically Challenged Abia Man For Asking About ₦1.4billion Constituency Projects, Victim Remanded In Kuje Prison

Tracka’s report, published in June 2026, said its verification exercise identified significant gaps between reported government disbursements and what could be physically established in the communities.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has been accused of using the Nigerian Police to arrest and prosecute a physically challenged constituent, Emenike Okorie, from Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, after he demanded explanations over the implementation of constituency projects allegedly linked to the lawmaker.

Okorie is currently being detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, following his arrest and subsequent prosecution over comments he reportedly made on a community WhatsApp platform concerning Kalu’s representation and the handling of public funds.

His lawyer, human rights advocate, Deji Adeyanju, disclosed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday that his client was tracked down in Abia State, transported to Abuja by the police and subsequently remanded in prison.

Adeyanju said Okorie had spent about two weeks in detention for questioning the Deputy Speaker over projects meant for communities in his constituency.

“My client was tracked in Abia and brought to Abuja, and immediately they remanded him at Kuje Prison. He is physically challenged.

“He was remanded for demanding accountability from the Deputy Speaker, who represented my client’s constituency. He has been remanded for two weeks now,” Adeyanju told SaharaReporters.

The arrest has generated concerns among residents and groups in Bende, with calls mounting for Kalu to facilitate Okorie’s immediate release.

The controversy revolves around several constituency projects reportedly captured in the Federal Government’s budget and allegedly linked to communities in Bende Federal Constituency.

A civic accountability organisation, Tracka, had raised questions about more than ₦1.4 billion reportedly released for five constituency projects between September and December 2025, following concerns that some of the projects were either uncompleted or could not be identified during community verification exercises.

According to Tracka’s findings, the projects include two hybrid automated cassava processing centres in Ezeukwu and Umuhu Ezechi communities, a 2-kilometre Amaeke–Umuhu Ezechi road and 579 solar-powered streetlights reportedly meant for Igbere A, Igbere B and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu wards.

The organisation said its field verification exercise raised questions about the actual implementation of the projects, with residents reportedly expressing a lack of knowledge about some of the facilities and infrastructure provided for their communities.

One of the major concerns involves the ₦348 million Hybrid Cassava Processing Mill reportedly meant for Umuhu Ezechi.

Residents have demanded explanations about the location, construction and actual delivery of the facility, insisting that public funds allocated for their community should translate into visible projects.

The 2-kilometre Amaeke–Umuhu Ezechi road has also attracted questions, with concerns raised about its reported abandonment and the extent of work carried out despite the money allegedly released for the project.

In Item Okpi, residents have also demanded explanations concerning claims about two federal universities attracted in the community’s name, seeking clarification about the projects, their status and what has actually been delivered.

Similarly, residents of Igbere and Ugwueke have demanded answers concerning the 579 solar streetlights reportedly captured and paid for under constituency projects.

Tracka’s report, published in June 2026, said its verification exercise identified significant gaps between reported government disbursements and what could be physically established in the communities.

The organisation called on Kalu to facilitate engagement with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the contractors responsible for the projects, to provide explanations about their implementation.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has filed a six-count criminal charge against Okorie before the Federal High Court in Abuja over WhatsApp messages allegedly circulated on the Umuhu Ezechi Development Union platform.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/710/2026 and dated October 26, 2026, accuses the 49-year-old of offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the prosecution, Okorie allegedly circulated messages containing information he knew to be false, with the intention of bullying, threatening or harassing the Deputy Speaker and damaging his reputation.

One of the disputed messages reportedly concerned the ₦348 million garri-processing project allegedly meant for Umuhu Ezechi.

In the message reproduced in the charge, Okorie allegedly accused Kalu of using the community’s name to secure money for a processing plant that he claimed did not exist.

The prosecution further alleged that the publications were intended to expose the Deputy Speaker to reputational damage and public ridicule.

The development has intensified demands from residents of Bende, particularly those from Umuhu Ezechi and other affected communities, for transparency regarding constituency projects and the circumstances surrounding Okorie’s detention.

Residents have said that elected representatives should be prepared to explain how public funds allocated to their communities were utilised and provide evidence of completed projects.

They insist that asking questions about government-funded projects should not automatically be treated as an attack on an elected representative.

In an appeal circulating among residents, supporters of Okorie called for his immediate and unconditional release, insisting that intimidation and arrest would not silence constituents demanding accountability.

“Arresting and intimidating our people will not make you win an election. You cannot silence the voices of the people of Bende through fear, intimidation or harassment,” the appeal stated.

It added, “Democracy is about freedom of expression, accountability and respect for the rights of every citizen. The people of Bende deserve justice, not intimidation.

“No one should be punished for expressing an opinion or speaking up for their community.

“We demand justice. We demand fairness. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Emenike Okorie!

“The people of Bende deserve to be heard, not silenced.”

Another appeal titled, “Demanding Accountability Is Not An Insult. Silencing The People Is Not Leadership!” accused political office holders of treating legitimate questions from constituents as personal attacks.

The appeal maintained that public office holders are accountable to the people who elected them and must provide explanations concerning public resources entrusted to them.

It cited 1 Corinthians 4:2, which states: “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

The statement added that communities were not asking for special treatment but wanted to see evidence of projects reportedly funded in their names.

“But instead of answering these questions, we are hearing about court cases involving Comrade Darlington Agoha and Chief Emenike Okorie. Who is next?” the statement asked.

It further declared that Bende was not anybody’s private estate and that residents should not apologise for demanding accountability from their elected representatives.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Okorie, describing his reported detention as a matter of serious concern.

In a statement issued on November 9, 2026, the organisation called for ₦100 million compensation over what it described as alleged arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, questioned why a constituent seeking explanations about public resources should end up in prison.

The organisation also expressed concern about Okorie’s physical condition, noting that he uses a walking stick.

HURIWA called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest and continued detention, while urging Kalu to intervene to secure his constituent’s release.

The organisation maintained that public office holders should not use their positions to intimidate citizens who demand explanations about public resources.