Godswill Akpabio, Critics say his convoy is fond of moving about with huge cash

The arraignment of the suspects followed two previous failed attempts by the police last week

Two of the three staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCo) attached to Arik Airlines accused of stealing N1.5million from the luggage of a Governor Godswill Akpabio's protocol attachee, Ebakabasi Etuk, at Ibom International Airport penultimate Saturday, have been arraigned in court.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Onyeka Orji, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), confirmed to Premium Times that the suspects, who have been in custody at the Akwa Ibom State Police Command headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia since the incident, were arraigned on Monday at the Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Uyo, the state capital.

Mr. Orji would not volunteer further details on the identities of the suspects, claiming it would be sub-judicial to divulge such details once the case has commenced in court.

But Premium Times gathered that the prime suspect, one Victor Eshiet Usenekong, who was in charge of the baggage unit of Arik Airlines, was arraigned along with his accomplice, Inyang Cyril Sylvester, on two-count charge of stealing the sum of N1.5million cash at the Ibom International Airport on February 26, 2012.

Initial report had suggested that the suspects stole N2million.

According to the charge read in court, the suspects were accused of conspiring among themselves to commit felony and committing an offence punishable under section 552 of the criminal code CAP. 38, Vol. 11 Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000.

After reading the charge to them at the court, the presiding magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N3million each, after they pleaded not guilty.

Their arraignment followed two previous failed attempts since the incident took place.

Mr. Orji had earlier disclosed that the police had taken the suspects to court on Thursday and Friday last week for arraignment, only to learn that the court officials were on a scheduled official visit prisons, which warranted a shift to today.

The suspects were said to have stolen the money from the bundles of cash reportedly carried by the Akwa Ibom State government team on their way back from Lagos where Governor Godswill Akpabio was awarded the ‘Sun Newspapers Man of the Year’ two weeks ago.

The protocol team travelled ahead of the governor who later returned to the state in a chartered jet.

The money was recovered concealed in an abandoned luggage later found to belong to the prime suspect, who was promptly whisked away for questioning and later detained.

The move by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce the cashless economy policy was informed by the penchant of Nigerians, particularly top government officials, who are in the habit of traveling around with large sacks of money in cash.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/police-arraign-two-airport-staff-stealing-governor-akpabio%E2%80%99s-cash-haul-premium-times

I can't fittin shout. This is hilarious, (Police Arraign Two Airport Staff For Stealing Governor Akpabio’s Cash HAUL)

Insipid news. Very boring. Whoever cares!

What were they doing with such amount of cash on their possession in the first place. This is how they launder money around.

they would have stole more cause its our money.

This Is very embarassing!

The Governor stole the money from the state and them stole it from him, that to say the equation is balance.

they stole 1.5million and are asked to do the bailing with 3 million what a life,

How can the people steal their own money,
The governor stole the people's money and they collectred it back in return.
I think Akpabio should be arraigned as well.
He must be a wicked man to press charges on common 1.5m that he obviously stole.
Cursed Akpabio, cursed prosecutors, cursed judges, cursed judicial system all in one Blessed Nigeria.
mscheeew

All protocol officers of govs carry sums of money to meet exigencies like payment of hotel bills, allowances of his excellencies entourage and the like. Therefore, it's not out of place to see them carrying large sums of money during such journeys. Maybe the staffs of Aviation Cargo Handling Coy thought the money was a free for all or looted funds. TheY should be allowed to bear the full brunt of the law if found guilty. We need honest people working in such places. Who knows how many times they did it and went scot free. Away with them.

They were only trying to steal back their own money now . . . what is the problem?

Ole gbe ole bga

Who is guilty?It is the Governor that does not obey cashless policy or the thieves

jeak123:

All protocol officers of govs carry sums of money to meet exigencies like payment of hotel bills, allowances of his excellencies entourage and the like. Therefore, it's not out of place to see them carrying large sums of money during such journeys. Maybe the staffs of Aviation Cargo Handling Coy thought the money was a free for all or looted funds. TheY should be allowed to bear the full brunt of the law if found guilty. We need honest people working in such places. Who knows how many times they did it and went scot free. Away with them.

Cashless policy to the rescue, when it will be possible to monitor who spends what. I doubt if they will ever allow this to come to fruition. Why should they carry so much cash, haven't they heard of promisory notes?

na wao!, nobodi wan carri last, na who dem catch na im be tif

Godliness with contentment is a great gain.

How is Akpabio better than these guys ? I guess because he's protected to steal as a sitting governor abi. Huh ?

what I want to know is why the guys only took some change out of the HAUL. . . . .what's wrong with hauling the whole CASH, fvck the governor and his entourage Afterall, they already paid hotel and paid for fuel and food they are now back home, so its not like they will be stranded or go hungry on their own home soil. The guys should be sent to jail for stupidity, not for stealing.

They stole a stolen money.

This is one of the tenets of CBN's cash - light policy!
Why will somebody be moving tons of cash in his entourage, is he a licensed CIT operator?
I have it on good authority that some governors always have over 500mil in cash with them
anytime, for settling people that come for courtesy visits as 'kola'!
It's easier for politicians to whisk away our collective wealth, as long as they can carry it in cash
and share at will without any trace!

movement of heavy cash and throwing around caash by de guvnor is not a news and i ask, are these monies accounted for?

And what about the governor where did he got such huge amount of money? how much is his salary

Stealing is stealing. Whatever name you give, it's still stealing and must be discouraged. I've said my mind.

Shame on Nigerian police and Judiciary. They can only kill the poor. Lagos has been decleared cashless society and yet Governor Akpabio is still going to Lagos with fat sum of money. Its must be Akpabio when it comes to money laundering and Toyota cars gift. Show man!

Police has refuse to arrest Governor Akpabio for money laundering, Honourable court of Nigeria has refuse to do justice, no question about how 1.5m naira join the flight instead of bank. From election period, Governor Akpabio's cash possession is more than what a commercial bank keeps in a week.

Poor Nigerians are they only ones committing crimes as far as our judiciary is concern. Na waooooh!  May God help us.

A small  tif stealing from a bigger tif

imagine 1.5m

i can't just understand how these people spend, Awon oleeeeeeeeeeee

What is Governor Akpabio or his aide doing with that kind of large amount of money? If he can answer satisfactorily to this question, then after we shall then know what to say or do. But to be frank, Most of this Governors are armed robbers, because large amount of money don't have meaning to them and that how most of them go about with the peoples money. Are they supposed to carry cash around. And with introduction of cashless policy, would they allow it to work? Time will tell.