Ex-Rep Agbonayinma Dismisses Claims That Arase Was Poisoned

Former member of the House of Representatives and current Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau, Hon. Johnson E. Agbonayinma, has debunked reports alleging that former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, who died earlier this week, was poisoned.

Agbonayinma, who represented Ikpoba/Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State, described the circulating stories as false and malicious.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, he said: “The stories of food poisoning being circulated are false, malicious, and completely unfounded. There was no food poisoning. The claim that he reacted to a meal is pure fabrication.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain stressed the need to “set the record straight on the unfortunate passing of our dear big brother and illustrious son of Benin Kingdom.” He further dismissed other claims linking Arase’s death to individuals or social events.

“Equally false is the mischievous mention of ‘Mrs. Igbe, CEO of VESA FOODS, wife of the Iyase of Benin, and a transgender granddaughter’s wedding,’ in the stories being peddled. There is no truth whatsoever in such statements. These are the handiwork of unscrupulous elements trying to distract from the dignified memory of a man who gave so much in service to his country,” he said.

Agbonayinma noted that while Dr. Arase had indeed traveled to Morocco with his wife, family, and friends, details surrounding his passing remain the responsibility of the family to communicate officially.

Appealing for restraint, he said: “I therefore appeal to the general public: let us allow the dead to rest in peace. The family is in grief and deserves our support, not the spread of fake stories about the cause of his death. Dr. Solomon Arase was a patriot, a father, and a statesman who served Nigeria meritoriously. Let us honor him with dignity and respect. He died as a legend and a hero to be remembered.”

He reiterated that the food poisoning claims were fabricated, stressing: “Let it be on record that the entire narration of food poisoning is false, malicious, and misleading and should be disregarded. In fact, the claims are fabricated without any basis by enemies of progress in our society. This type of misinformation is intended to cause unnecessary panic, confusion, and emotional distress to families, friends, and the public, and it should be disregarded.”

Agbonayinma urged the public to verify information from credible and official sources before sharing, to avoid spreading fake news.