Savouring the air of freedom after he was released on bail from prison, Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, has declared that the one night he and others spent in Benin Prison has elevated their status to African statesmen.
Addressing party supporters who paid him solidarity visit at his residence in Benin-City, Chief Orbih said people who were sentenced to long years imprisonment later came out to rule the country, in apparent reference to former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela.
Orbih vowed to continue to advance the cause of the common man.
Said he, “For the first time in the history of our state, documents that were not signed during the day were signed at 9:30pm. The documents of Pastor Ize-Iyamu were declared missing.
“They did not sign his papers because they wanted him to stay for the weekend. You can plan evil but evil will be defeated.
“When you see any government using organs of government to oppress and intimidate opposition, you will know the end of that government is near”, Orbih said.
Recall that Chief Orbih, along with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, a former Deputy Governor, Tony Aziegbemi, a former member of the House of Representatives and Efe Anthony, spent last Thursday night in prison custody following their inability to fulfil the bail conditions of the Federal High Court in Benin presided over by Justice P.I Adjokwu.
They were arraigned on eight- count charge of laundering the sum of N700m in 2015.
The money was alleged to be part of the $115m Mrs. Diezani Allison pilfered from the coffers of the Federal Government to fund the 2015 general elections.
Chief Orbih and the other accused persons were however released from prison custody at about 10:30pm on Friday night after they met their bail conditions.
