Anyone who comes across, or knows the whereabouts of Barr Leo Ekpenyong owes the society a responsibility of immediately informing the Akwa Ibom State police command or the nearest police station.

Akwa Ibom State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko revealed that Ekpenyong, the lawyer who had alleged a $1.5m bribe against Governor Emmanuel and Justice W. O. Akanbi, has been declared wanted by the police following his escape after being granted bail from police custody in Uyo.

Barr Nwoko on Wednesday in a radio interview in Uyo disclosed that “the fugitive lawyer was apprehended Monday last week from his hideout in Abuja by the Police for blackmailing the state governor and Judges, was flown down to Akwa Ibom on Tuesday by the police and was to be arraigned in court the following day.

“The police told me on Wednesday, that he was granted bail on Tuesday night and was expected to report back the following day.

According to Nwoko, "The information we got from the police is that Leo Ekpenyong was taken on bail by Victor Antai. On Wednesday, He (Antai) showed up and said Leo Ekpenyong was hospitalized". The police told me they followed him to the hospital and were able to sight the Leo Ekpenyong on a bed, but he refused to get up from the bed”.

“By Thursday last week, both the surety Mr Victor Antai and the fugitive lawyer Ekpenyong, had escaped from the state and their whereabouts unknown until they were tracked by the police to Abuja.”

Assuring that the police was on top of the matter, the Chief Law Officer of the state further hinted that the runaway lawyer has been tracked by security agents, and the person who stood surety for him been tracked by the Police and would soon be apprehended to face the law.

"I want Akwa Ibom people and the entire Nigerians to know that Leo Ekpenyong will be brought to book. Barr. Ekpenyong lives on blackmail, but I've told him this time around the long arms of the law will catch up with him. Leo is engaging in outright blackmail, not constructive criticism". He goes about destroying people's character, integrity and reputation".

"He has been declared wanted. Anywhere anybody sees him, he should be reported to the nearest police station or Akwa Ibom State Police headquarters", he added.

Leo Ekpenyong in a strongly worded press release had alleged that he had sufficient proofs that Governor Emmanuel bribed the National Assembly elections petitions tribunal, presided over by Justice W. O. Akanbi with $1.5m.

This prompted Barr Nwoko to respond by asking for an immediate retraction and apology within seven days, failure of which legal consequences would be applied.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44, Seun

How much to catch him ?

Abi to snitch on him ?