Hon. Yusuf Gagdi has released a press statement to clarify on the reasons for the arrest and detention of Hon. Emmanuel Zopmal.

In the statement, he thanked his supporters and adversaries in equal measure for the attention paid to the matter. He re-stated his commitment to serve his constituents and asked for understanding on the matter.

He said he was fully aware of the repercussions the arrest will generate and remains dogged in his commitment to ensure that he clears his name in the matter.

The full statement is below

I appreciate all those who cast aspersions on my person for taking the position I took with relation to the criminal allegations Emma Zopmal raised against me on his various social media handles over the years. I also appreciate those who believe I did right by inviting the law enforcement agents to prosecute the matter.

Let me state without equivocation that I took this step conscientiously, knowing that my political adversaries will have a field day condemning my action, but I am not perturbed because everybody is entitled to their opinions. There is nothing I will ever do that will please those set of people that have sworn to hate me for no just cause.

First and foremost, Emma Zopmal was not arrested by men of the DSS, as alleged in some quota. He was arrested by men of the Nigerian Police Force on allegations of CRIMINAL ACCUSATIONS, with a duly signed Warrant of Arrest and a 30 day detention order from a court of competent jurisdiction, within which the police would have completed their investigations and charge him to court appropriately.

For those asking why I didn’t sue Emma Zopmal in a civil action, the defamation he made against my person are criminal in naturen; hence the prosecuting agency (Police) must investigate the allegations before taking the offender to court.

Those who felt I am not civil by inviting the security agency to wade into the matter have not been fair to me, though I do not expect my adversaries to be fair to me. But anybody who cares to know can browse through Zopmal’s social media handles from 2016 when I defected from PDP to APC. He has been insulting and calling me all sorts of names, but I never bothered, until now that he seeks to extend his diatribe to include my parents.

As a devout Muslim, it is my responsibility to defend my parents should anybody seek to bring their reputation to disrepute, and this is exactly what I am doing.

In his recent accusation, he alluded that I duped the mother of a certain lawyer, and that he has prove to that effect. As a politician, I cannot sweep that accusation under the carpet, because not taking any action will imply that the accusation Zopmal raised against me are true.

Making criminal accusations against a person is a criminal offence that must be proved in the realm of criminal trial, and that was the exact step I have taken by petitioning the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute the offender accordingly.

I owe nobody apology for taking steps to safeguard my hard earned reputation and the dignity of my parents who came under severe attack by Emma Zopmal.

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Hon. Gagdi releases press statement on the arrest of Emmanuel Zopmal