by Mfonobong Ukpong

A former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, (SAN) has stated that the status of Pastor Umo Eno as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the March 11, 2023 Governorship election in the state is not in dispute.

According to him, only mischievous elements without sound legal knowledge and background, can peddle the falsehood that Pastor Umo Eno has not been cleared as the candidate of the PDP.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Friday at his office in Uyo, Barr. Nwoko who is the Head of the Legal team of the PDP Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, clarified that the Court of Appeal had made a final pronouncement on the matter in respect of the Michael Enyong case while the Supreme Court rested the matter in respect of Akan Okon's case.

“At the moment, there is no court process filed against our client before us.

“So, all the court cases concerning Umo Eno's candidature, the final decisions have been made, and there is no dispute as to that again.

“If you visit INEC website now, you would find out the final correction that was field by INEC as regards Umo Eno, where his name was restored and INEC went as far as putting that it is by the order of Court that his name was restored on the INEC platform”.

“It was wrong for INEC to have even contemplated replacing Pst Umo ENO’S name on their website and I confronted them through a letter and they discovered their error. That is why they quickly corrected their error. “

“I have come across a writeup shared by some characters that do not know anything about law. The issue of cross-appeal is nowhere on any record anywhere.

“Umo Eno was already seated as candidate of the PDP, and then this mischievous judgement by the Federal High Court came in. Infact that was why the Court of Appeal was very angry with the judgement of that High Court and awarded a punitive cost of N1 million against Mike Enyong.

“The Court held that this matter ought not to have come to any court again, having been decided by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. So, the cost awarded was to serve as deterrent to the person (Mike Enyong) and others who might want to toe the same line”.

While reechoing his earlier stance that Mike Enyong should make himself available to the Police for investigation, Barr. Nwoko disclosed that the federal lawmaker had secured an exparte order of the court on the 20th of February, 2023, restraining the police from arresting him, saying the order which has a 7 day lifespan had elapsed, with Mike Enyong again declared wanted by the Police.

He said a case of multiple forgery against Mike Enyong is still pending in the FCT High Court, Abuja and the PDP who is the complainant in the case has been granted leave to be joined in the matter.

“Mike Enyong has been declared wanted by the Police. There is a valid warrant of arrest signed by a Magistrate. PDP is now a party to that suit, because he mischievously filed that suit raising the issue that PDP brought before the police and left out PDP in the suit”.

A new Chairman, Barrister Mrs. Chinonyerem Ini Ememobong has been elected to pilot the affairs of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, for a tenure of two years.

Mrs. Ememobong, who holds an LLM in International Trade and Maritime Law, was elected along with other members of a new executive council of the chapter during the 4th Annual General Meeting held in Uyo, recently.

Others who were elected to serve on the new Executive Council included: Mrs. Nkiru Theresa Ntong, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Iniobong Olusola Odejimi, General Secretary; Miss Maria Michael Akpan, Honorary Treasurer; and Mrs. Inemeawaji Abasiubong Ettang, Assistant Secretary.

The event, which was observed by a representative of ICSAN National Body, Ms Oladunni Ogunsulire, also witnessed the election of Mrs. Love Useneno Udo, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Utomobong Johnson, Publicity Secretary; Mrs. Itoro Cletus Ekpo, Mobilization Secretary; while Mr. Udeme Akpan Umoh, emerged as the Social Secretary.

Reacting to her election as Chairman, Barr. Ememobong, who thanked members for entrusting her with the position, pledged to uphold the integrity of the institute.

Mrs. Ememobong also indicated her willingness to provide an inclusive leadership that will adequately cater to the needs of members.

The outgoing Chairman, Barrister Ime Asibong, who thanked Members of the Electoral Committee for a job well-done, admonished the new executive officers to live above board, display high level of integrity and professionalism, for which the Institute is known in the conduct of her affairs.

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria is a recognized professional body dedicated to enhancing the status and practice of Corporate Governance and Administration in both the public and private sectors of the economy

There is palpable tension in the air in Akwa Ibom State, following the presidential election in which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC was declared winner in a very controversial manner.

Our correspondent gathers that the Governorship candidate of Young Progressive Party, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan is under serious pressure to collapse his structures and turnover support to the All Progressives Congress governorship Candidate for governor to avoid completely losing out in the battle for the hilltop mansion and his personal freedom.

An insider who pleaded annoynimity due to the utmost confidentiality of the plot noted that since APC has won the presidency, OBA is being persuaded to succumb to the plot to collapse his structures for APC in return for pardon for his recent conviction, for Akan Udofia, whose party is already with structures in the State.

The insider further opined that Senator Akpan's lobby to toe the line of supporting the Guber project of Akan Udofia was not only for presidential pardon on his conviction status but also for a possible Ministerial appointment too.

However OBA’s resistance to the deal is hinged on the fact that he has more experience and more supporters and could prove a more formidable opposition to the intimidating forces of supporters loyal to the PDP candidate, Pastor Umo Eno.

Bassey Albert who only recently lost his seat in the Senate at the court due to his defection, is said to have argued that he has invested more in the election while Akan Udofia is only a first timer.

The source said the argument is that the last election showed that APC has more presence in the state compared to YPP and it should be OBA stepping down for Akan Udofia.

He further highlighted "OBA is in a bigger trouble than Akan. The possibility of Supreme Court declaring Akan as APC governorship candidate next week is there. But there is no possibility of OBA getting off the hook of conviction for bribery and fraud for which he had been earlier convicted by the federal high Court Uyo".

The insider said to avoid the backlash that may accompany OBA's sudden volte face in the Guber project, he is reluctant to accept a withdrawal from the race to avert his people getting offended with him, so that he can at least win the House of Assembly election for his State Constituency for YPP.

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of housekeeping in the APC governorship campaign circle, one of which is the planned arrangement of a lady who can stand in as Akan Udofia’s wife, so she can be presented to the public immediately supreme court decision goes in his favour.

A Human Rights group in Akwa Ibom State, Conscience and Advocacy Initiative has called on the Nigeria police to investigate the murder of Imoh Isang, the Chief protocol officer to the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP in the state, Obong Bassey Albert popularly known as OBA.


Isang was said to have been murdered on October in Imo State when he went for official assignment of the party.

Three months after his gruesome murder, the rights group in a statement signed by the president, Comrade Joseph Udofia and the Secretary Engr. Aniedi Etim respectively, said the explanation put up by late Isang's boss, Mr Albert was suspicious and calls for further probe.

The group urged the police to bring the culprits to book so that the soul of the departed whom it described as a promising and illustrious son of Akwa Ibom would rest in peace.

Speaking on what made it to raise eyebrow on the matter, the group explained, "what has warranted this statement is the inconsistency in the story behind his dead and what was captured at the scene of the incident. Hence, our collective call on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

"More worrisome is the inconsistency in the facts presented, and it raises doubts in the hearts of right thinking members of the public, and tantamount to mocking the dead.

"Such doubts also mean that there are untold truth buried, that must be unraveled, without which the dead cannot rest in peace.

"A case in point is how incoherent and inconsistent Bassey Albert's speech on the murder of Imoh Isang appears when compared to the video of the murder.

"At the burial of Imoh Isang late last year, Bassey Albert narrated the story thus:
"The ruggedness of Imoh was expressed even in the incident that led to his demise. There were five inside the car, and I can tell you, it is a miracle that the other three survived. Anybody who sees that car cannot imagine if anybody could come out of it. But three survived because of Imoh. Even in his pain, he was the one who left his side with bullet wounds and went to the other side of the car and then pulled the other three out, and all he could say was; you guys should run into the bush; don't die with me,”.

"The testimony above credited to Imoh's boss is quite inconsistent with facts gathered by investigative journalists.

"First, Bassey Albert claimed that there were 5 people on that journey, but three survived, how come there was never any mention of three survivors or their names when the story initially broke? Were these survivors affected by the attack? Were they shot as well?

"How come Imoh Isang with bullet wounds was the one who moved to help the other three who were not even shot? A video obtained which documented the incident after the alleged attack showed Imoh Isang lying helplessly in the mud. Why did the video not show any trace of others who tried to escape the scene? Atleast, their footprints would have been seen.

"Moreover, Bassey Albert claimed the vehicle was so badly damaged that it was a miracle that the other three survived, but a close scrutiny of the video of the incident that was released then showed the contrary. The vehicle's body did not look as if it was riddled with bullets, only the windows were down. Who should we believe?

"Moreover, it is essential to ask, who drove the vehicle to the scene of the incident? Was it Imoh? At what point were those three survivors pulled out by Imoh? Was the vehicle inside the mud, because the late Imoh could be seen writhing in pain in muddy waters?
These are questions begging for answers.

"It is on this note that as a concerned human rights group, we are calling on the Inspector General of Police to do something about the murder of Imoh Isang, and bring the perpetrators to book. Until this is done, the dead will not find rest, and we will not rest until justice is enthroned: Justice for Imoh Isang."

Aniedi UKOENANG, Uyo.

There is simply no good reason for Akwa Ibom People to vote any other party apart from the umbrella logo of the PDP in the upcoming givernorship elections slated for 11th March, 2023.

We are witnesses that since 1999, Akwa Ibom State has been distinguished as a state blessed with good leadership. Any state you go to as an Akwa Ibom person, you will be told that you have good governance in Akwa Ibom State. This is so because this state, under PDP, has sustained a developmental trajectory since 1999 till date to the envy or admiration of sister states across the country.

For those that travel alot, immediately you drive out of Akwa Ibom into another state, you become proud of Akwa Ibom for where God has taken us to via good leadership, and it's PDP that has done all these developments in this state.

We need to keep faith with PDP. Because we can't change a phenomenon that is working. I strongly believe that Akwa Ibomites have no good reason not to support PDP in the coming elections, considering how we have developed under PDP since 1999 till date. And considering the current level of peace and tranquility we are enjoying now, and it is crystal clear that if we elect a mature, humble servant of God in Pastor Umo Eno, for sure we will sustain peace in this state.

No doubt, all our PDP governors have been wonderful. For example, in aviation development, If Obong Victor Attah designed the airport and saved money for it, Akpabio did build it, and Udom Emmanuel has built a second taxi way, created Ibom Air, and is about to commission a classic International Terminal.

If Attah redesigned the Uyo capital city, Akpabio built two flyovers in it, built ring road one and other roads. Udom Emmanuel has added ring road 2, and multiple lanes ring road 3, he has done another flyover, he is expanding airport road from 2 lane to 4 lane, and many other roads.

If Akpabio built an International stadium in Uyo, Udom has built another one in Eket to spread sports development.

The free education has been sustained from one PDP Governornment to the other, the State University is sustained, Projects not completed by former PDP governors in the state are completed, especially Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road, Ibom Specialist hospital, and 4Point by Sheraton hotel.

If Akpabio took roads and bridges to Etim Ekpo, Ika, Udom has taken vital roads to Obot Akara, Oruk Anam and others with many bridges. Including the commissioning of the 4th longest bridge in Nigeria located in Mbo Local Government Area in Oro nation, by Udom Emmanuel.

The list goes on and on. Akwa Ibom has been blessed by PDP. Needless to attempt what we cannot predict. PDP in Akwa Ibom state has a predictable idealogy of peace, development and progress.

As a country, we are where we are in Nigeria because we felt we needed to have a taste of another party, APC. Today, that choice is not currently tasting good, and that is the mistake Akwa Ibomites are trying to make. I tell people to look at the quality and character of people around Umo Eno, and also look at the quality and character of people around the other candidates; it is easy to predict how organized Akwa Ibom will be if Umo Eno wins, just as it is easy to predict how risky, rowdy, and violent this state could be if any of the major opposition candidates win.

Akwa Ibom State must not be allowed to be hijacked and taken to that table of retrogressiveness. Let us keep maintaining what works for us.
Pastor Umo Eno and PDP remains the only hope of sustaining peace and development in Akwa Ibom State

AKWA IBOM PEOPLE, LET'S VOTE PDP AGAIN.

An Appeal court sitting in Abuja today dismissed an appeal filed by Rt. Hon Mike Enyong urging the court to stay proceedings in the appeal brought by the Peoples Democratic Party against the judgment of the lower court.

The suit also challenged the decision of the court to summon him by substituted service.

It would be recalled that efforts to serve Michael Enyong a motion on the appeal by the People Democratic party had been futile as the Uyo Federal Constituency Lawmaker evaded service, this prompted the appeal Court to direct the Bailiff to serve him through substituted service by pasting the service on his office door at the National Assembly and at the door of his residence in Abuja.

With Judgement reserve on the appeal by the PDP, Mike Enyong rushed to the appeal court and file an appeal against he was summoned.

The case by Michael Enyong, Suit Number CA/Abj/PRE/ROA/CU/134/2023, sought to urge the court the stay proceeding on the appeal filed by the PDP.

When the case came up for hearing this morning, the court frowned at the appeal describing it as frivolous and a waste of Judicial time and struck it out.

A renowned socio-political group in the Niger Delta region, Youths for Peace and Good Governance (YPGG) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police Mr Usman Baba to immediately arrest a former governorship aspirant in Akwa ibom state, Mr Mike Enyong and ensure that the full weight of the law is brought upon him.



YPGG in an open letter to the Police Boss endorsed by Comrade Joseph Udofia and Evang Emmanuel Etim, President and Secretary respectively lamented that Mr Mike Enyong an Incumbent Member of House of Representatives embarked on monumental impersonation and deceit with which he got the present favorable judgment from a federal High Court against the authentic PDP governorship candidate in Akwa ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno.



According to them, “Such act of impersonation, especially of an institution as revered as INEC and a political party established by law is the height of lawlessness, which justify our call on the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute Michael Enyong in line with section 480-489 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, which states that Impersonation in general implies thus: Any person who, with intent to defraud any person, falsely represents himself to be some other person, living or dead, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment”.



The group recalled that Mr Enyong boycotted the main governorship primary, recognized, monitored and approved by the PDP and INEC which was held at the Nest of Champions stadium Uyo, and staged managed what he claimed to be another primary in his house.



“But now, he claimed to have been the authentic governorship candidate of the PDP. Wonders they say, will never end. How can one explain this that an aspirant who never showed up on the day of the primary now claimed he should be recognized as the party's flag bearer?





The group further highlighted, “we condemn in strong terms the shameful display of lawlessness by Michael Enyong, one of the governorship aspirants in the May 2022 governorship primary of the PDP in Akwa Ibom state, and hereby call for his arrest with immediate effect.



“A lawmaker who is expected to know the law, defend, protect and practice the law is the one breaking the law. It is a rape on democracy and a bad antecedent for generation to come, hence the need for it to be corrected immediately.



“In saner climes, Mike Enyong should be cooling his feet in prison for impersonating PDP, INEC and Delegates”.



“It is against the democratic principles that our forebears fought for with their blood. Allowing Michael Enyong to walk freely and parades himself as the winner of the governorship primary in the state, an exercise he did through impersonation, is to say the least, very disheartening, and brings into questioning the sanctity of the legislature.



The Group maintained that in other to sanitize the chambers that Mr Enyong had allegedly abused, the IGP should as a matter of necessity order his arrest and prosecution. “He should be a good example as a custodian of the law, instead of displaying such legislative rascality with reckless abandon.



The statement further read, “No one, irrespective of status or class, race or gender as well as political affiliation and religious leanings should be allowed to desecrate the hallowed chamber without facing the full wrath of the law, as in a democratic society, nobody is above the law.



“The rule of law must be allowed to thrive in our society if we must set a good example for posterity. Those who are planning to tow similar line like Mike Enyong should be deterred from doing so when they know that the law has caught up with those who took laws into their hands.



“Even the Holy Bible clearly admonishes that he that breaks the edge, the serpent shall bite, and nobody plays with fire in his bosom without being burnt. It is on this strength that we have re-echoed our position that the Inspector General of Police should as a matter of urgency, order the arrest and prosecution of Michael Enyong, and put an end to this version of lawlessness in our society, which is gradually becoming a norm. This should be followed to the latter”.

AN ULTIMATUM TO MR ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU TO APOLOGIZE AND WITHDRAW HIS UNGUARDED THREATS TO THE LIFE OF THE GOVERNOR AND PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE
 
Having waited for more than twenty four hours for some common sense and natural reasoning to dawn on Mr. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC), and the organizers of the January 30, 2023 rally of the said party in Akwa Ibom State to voluntarily retract the unfortunate and unguarded threats to the life of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State during their rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, we, the Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance hereby conclude that the threats are real, premeditated and seriously conceived.

At least we are familiar with the incident of how Tinubu’s kinsman, a current prominent leader of his party, threatened the then Minister of Justice of this country and later it turned out that the Minister was assassinated in cold blood without any explanation for his dead till date. Which explains why we in Akwa Ibom can never take it as a joke that in the 21st century, a so called educated man, who claims to be sane, could open his mouth and threaten to unleash dangerous reptiles and scorpions on the Governor of our State, for supporting another candidate. Lagos, a former capital of this country is the commercial nerve center of Nigeria, and every investment driven business that must succeed, takes place there. Tinubu, himself, like other non indigenes, also does business in Lagos without being threatened and molested and therefore has no reason to threaten the Governor, Government and people of Akwa Ibom State and their businesses, simply on the premise that he has been rejected in the State.

We are hereby constrained to state as follows:

1. That political rallies are essentially meant to provide political parties seeking elections, opportunities to bring to the fore their manifestoes, of course, usually crafted towards the realities of the needs of the areas and people of the various candidates a party is presenting to the electorate;

2. That while there are ready legal, civil and responsible tools and approaches to garner the commitments and votes of the electorates, the use of threats, blackmail, scandalous and libelous statements on persons with intimidation records and profile is never a political tool for campaigns;

3. That we consider as worrisome, the threat to the life of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State in the shabby outburst by Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu;

4. That we take serious exception to such unwarranted, unfortunate, and uncontrollable height of vituperation by Mr. Tinubu on our State and people as the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, without mincing words, is the FACE OF AKWA IBOM STATE!;

5. That the fact that Mr. Tinubu was applauded by the misinformed, misguided and, obviously, hired crowed at the supposed party rally, and no finger raised against him and his cohorts as would have been the case in other climes, does not in any way suggest cowardice, but a high sense of political tolerance and patriotism.
6. That having been accorded the peaceful, serene and secure atmosphere to campaign in Akwa Ibom State, which, of course, would not have been the case about eight years ago, and having been graciously accorded the use of our state facilities by the same Governor Udom Emmanuel whom Mr. Tinubu seeks to exterminate, it is crystal clear that the affront was premeditated and out of heavy ill-will and grudging contempt.

7. That we call on all who participated in the said sham of a rally of the APC (political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders and other leaders of thought)  to rise and express condemnation of such flagrant disregard to human life and contempt to the OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE;

8. That we do not want to take this as a mission by the south-west to continually insult the collective sensibility of our people as was the case when a certain senior lawyer from that part of the country, recently had the effrontery to attempt to challenge the legal authority of the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge over a no-case issue.

Subsequently, we are giving Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all his co-conspirators Seven (7)days to retract the threats and apologize to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, or risk immediate legal actions.

 
Barr. Stephen Abia
Chairman
AKWA IBOM INTEGRITY ALLIANCE

...declares seat vacant, fines embattled Senator N5Million

...orders PDP to conduct bye-election in A'Ibom North-East Senatorial District


The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Senator Bassey Albert Akpan from the Senate for defecting to the Young Progressives Party, YPP.

The court has also declared his seat vacant and has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.

The Judge, Hon. Justice Fadima Murtala Aminu in a suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/1249/2022 between the plaintiff being the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the defendants including, Senator Bassey Albert, President of the Senate and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, dated Friday 20th January, 2023, ruled that the embattled Senator who was sponsored to the office of a Senator by the plaintiff, the PDP is no longer qualified to retain his seat in the Senate having resigned his membership of the PDP before the expiration of the period for which he was elected to represent the people of Akwa Ibom North- East Senatorial District.

Relying on section 65(2)[B] of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 the court declared Bassey Albert's seat vacant.

The Court has ordered INEC to conduct a bye-election within 14days of the ruling dated 20th January to fill the vacant seat occasioned by his sack.

Also, the Judge ordered Senator Bassey to “refund to the Senate of the National Assembly all monies, allowances, or other financial and material benefits paid, given or yielded to him after July 15, 2022.

The court ruling reads in parts; “This Honourable Court hereby grants an order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from claiming to be parading himself as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District(otherwise known as Uyo Senatorial District) in the Senate”.

“The Ist defendant is to pay N5,000,000as cost of this suit to the plaintiff"(Five Million Naira)”.

Richard Peters

The long awaited 2023 election is drawing closer, and unfolding events have brought to the fore the unimaginable. Never in the history of politicking in Nigeria has the system been so abused and devalued as witnessed in recent days. The privileges and liberty offered by the judiciary have been abused by desperate politicians who are experts in telling lies to get the attention of the court, and later parade the street with a short-lived and premature court orders. There is still hope because the court has remained the hope of the just, as most of the anomalies are often corrected to sustain the sanctity of the court.

There is absolutely no justification for concocting lies inorder to whip sentiment and deceive the gullible. Events of late have really exposed who some people are. Their lifestyle and habits have been brought to the fore, as a result of their desperation for power. Those we thought had borrowed a little dignity from other significant individuals around them have proven us wrong, by throwing dignity and value to the gutters. Thank God for the spirit of discernment that guided Governor Udom Emmanuel that he did not make the mistake of pitching his tent with rogues in honourable robes.

With few weeks to go, and without sounding like a prophet of doom, the crookedness of men will assume a higher dimension. But the wickedness of the wicked will certainly consume them.

Just yesterday, one of the People's Democratic Party governorship aspirants who boycotted the main primary, and staged managed what he claimed to be another primary in his house is now claiming that he is the authentic candidate of the PDP. Wonders they say, will never end. How can one explain this, that an aspirant who never showed up on the day of the primary now claimed he should be recognized as the party's flag bearer.

Everyone knows that he used his house to conduct the "primary", bought boxes and hired crowd to cast "votes", act as INEC officials and party agents. Then, he invited newsmen to report same. It was nothing short of comedy of the century. Comedians feasted on it and increased their popularity. This is nothing but fraud, popularly known as 419.

This act is not a surprise to many who know him in person. It has been his "business" in the US before nemesis caught up on him and he was smuggled home. That was when Godswill Akpabio picked him and he ended up at the national assembly. Before now, he had already sold all his father's lands to Akpabio. He would have done same if he becomes the governor. Akwa Ibom state is not for sale.

This is the same thing Akpabio did last year. He was aspiring to pick the APC presidential ticket, but shocked his supporters by standing down for Tinubu. The next thing we heard was that he had forcefully snatched the senatorial ticket from the authentic winner of the primary. Remember, Akpabio did not contest for Senate. That is what bullies do.

Akan Okon came up with allegations that Umo Eno is parading a forged WAEC result. He took the naked dance to the village square and danced away the little respect that remained. Today, he has embarked on a self-imposed political asylum.

Before we breathed in and out, a man convicted of fraudulent practices acted as a sick person in prison, and was granted bail by the court. Today, he is parading himself with a criminal chain hanging on his neck.

While the people were trying to understand what was happening, a faceless individual was said to have approached a magistrate court in Abuja, and misled the court into ordering the arrest of Pst. Umo Eno for an offence he knew nothing about. Thank God the court quickly discovered that there was an error in judgment, and corrected the anomaly.

As the political motivated litigations were laid to rest, Baba Ntan has taken the center stage, praying the court to recognize him as the authentic winner of the PDP governorship primary. This is laughable.

Truth is, all these hurdles are increasing Umo Eno's popularity, and helped to build his stamina for the Hill Top mansion. The series of propaganda, blackmail and falsehood peddled by mischief makers are refining him. The finest ore is the one that had gone through fire. Again, only trees with ripe fruits receive stones and sticks. These refining fire of blackmail, accusation, name-calling and litigations will certainly bring out the best in him.

Pst. Umo Eno is not distracted. He is becoming more passionate, selfless, sincere, forgiving and transparent. His supporters are not perturbed either. In fact, the love and supports are increasing.

The good thing is that there is always a way to scale through. There are options in law to be adopted by Umo Eno's legal team to address all these issues. But one thing is certain, Pst. Umo Eno is the next governor of Akwa Ibom state, and nothing can change the verdict that has been sealed by Akwa Ibom people.

By Aniefiok Macaulay

A baseless write-up attributed to a fabled Barrister Effiong Samuel best fits for fiction in all its lamentable presentation.

The mere fact that the apprentice-authors of these "prayer request" write-up are not bold enough to wear their true identities but rather prefer to wear this mask of shame, is an affirmation to the fact that they want to paint fiction to become fact. All through Ikot Unya Village and even Mkpat Enin for that matter, there is no lawyer by name Barr. Effiong Samuel.

The faceless article passes easily as a futile effort to give the rejected ambition of Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen, an impossible acceptability, and they choose banal route to embark on this journey - of - no- return.

The Chief sponsor of the article, Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen is suddenly beginning to realize that character counts in public offices. Now that he is unable to turn back the hands of time, he wants to pour his dark tar on the decent and acceptable ambition of Rt. Hon. Ekong Sampson, a man of pedigree and high sense of responsibility already accepted as the next Senator of the district.

Which generation has Ephraim Inyang blessed? Is it those whose wealth he illegally amassed to himself or the property owners and estate valuers who are currently suing him for taking off chunks of their money for his own estates?

How is he an achiever? As a graduate who spent over 25 years in the Nigerian Customs Service and could not rise beyond the second rank of Superintendentof Customs? If indeed he is an achiever, how come all the complaints and media cries about poor execution of projects and non payment of compensations all stopped immediately Ephraim left office?
How come all the dual carriage roads in the State are now completed without stress during the post tenure of the loquacious Ikot Ebiere man?

If a man who was present at a meeting of Stakeholders of the senatorial district where it was confirmed that the Senate seat of the district should go to Ikot Abasi, yet comes out to lie that there is no such agreement, it exposés his character as a deceit who can never be trusted.
Despite the amount of public funds he amassed in the last seven years, what has Ephraim established to show he has capacity and passion for the young people, apart from personal estates ? Who, just who has he empowered?

Let those who learnt writing with quotes from Robert Nester Marley also find time to take a line from Lucky Dube that: "If you don't have something good to say about somebody, better shut up."

Since when did Ephraim Inyang-eyen become a capable hand, fit enough to represent sane and intelligent people like Eket Senatorial District? How can a man as ill-mannered as Ephraim be sent on a mission where responsible men will be gathered? Or did he not know that all those his acts of irresponsibility will hunt him? He has come face to face with reality, and should face his music rather than look for who to transfer his frustrations and failed wishful thinking on.

This is Ephraim Inyang-eyen who, as a Commissioner for Works reduced human beings to near animals, abusing power as if the state was under a junta. Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen deliberately punished people by refusing to pay them their compensations duly, but will rather leave behind tales of victimization and shoddy treatment of property owners. Till date some of his victims are yet to recover from the pains, while others died of hearts attack.

Ephraim Inyang-eyen as a Commissioner gave the State Government and the State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel massive embarrassment because of wild, untamed and corrupt disposition. He acted demigod until God clipped his wings. And now people are celebrating a failure, as a being bold and courageous. Let’s pause and ponder on the power raised. When exactly did the said Ephraim commenced being bold and courageous?

Was it in 2015 when he lost his footing in the Nigerian Customs Service and came back to Uyo without any known residential address, but had to hop from one low class guest house to another?
Was he bold during his seven years stints in the state executive council when he failed to discharge his responsibilities creditably.

Of course, there is no responsible political party that could have given Inyang-eyen its flag to contest for any political position apart from the political party famous in corruption.

If the supposed governorship candidate of the Young People's Party, YPP, Senator Bassey Albert could be immersed in and convicted for corruption by the court, then one should not be surprised that his corrupt ally, Inyang-eyen is made a flag-bearer. Of course, birds of a feather flock together. Corruption begets corruption.

But Inyang-eyen should know that a corrupt person can never speak for the responsible people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. No matter his media trial and misplaced attack on the person of Rt Hon Ekong Sampson, he cannot erase his fractured image as those are merely damage control and image laundering l; Ephraim is irreversibly bad, and the current cosmetics presentation of his ugly character is an exercise in futility.

In a few weeks time, the twelve local government areas of Eket Senatorial District will go and elect Barrister Ekong Sampson to go and represent them effectively.

It is a lesson for Ephraim that next time, if ever, he has opportunity to serve people, he should not treat people as below humans. His fate serves him right. He should carry his heavy cross, and stop looking for who to share it with.


Macaulay writes from Ikot Ekop Village In Ukpum Minya Clan, Mkpat Enin.

by Essien Ndueso

It is only people who lack a second address and have overtime lived off the common patrimony of the people that will engage in desperate measures and antics to maneuver themselves into political power. If they had made use of the opportunities they found themselves to create business hubs and become major entrepreneurs, then politics would have not been a do or die affair for them.

Because the rejected political merchants have come to realize that the Umo Eno movement is unstoppable as it continues to gain massive support from all Akwa Ibom people, they now believe that the only solution is to concoct a flimsy, lousy, fable tale that smacks nothing short of mischief and political frustration against the State PDP Governorship Candidate.

What level of frustration could drive a politician to sponsor a false news that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse 5 has issued a warrant of arrest on the Akwa Ibom State PDP governorship candidate? What gratification do such political jobbers derive in unleashing lazy attack dogs on the social media to celebrate that Senator Bassey Albert of the YPP is by this development not the only convict standing election?

Do these not depict that the pretenders have possibly sold their brains to the devil?

It is common knowledge that the courts in Nigeria had embarked on the Yuletide break and this prompted the setting up of special vacation courts to look into urgent pre-election matters. How then did the Chief Magistrate court in Abuja sit over the governorship candidate of the PDP on the 23rd of December 2022?

Who is the fictitious Edet Godwin Etim who took the case to court, and how did the PDP Governorship candidate cheat him to warrant the “conviction”. Can someone be tried and convicted without his charges being read to him?

If a federal high court in Lagos lacked jurisdictional power to convict Senator Bassey Albert for a crime committed in Uyo, which constitution did the Abuja Magistrate Court derive its power to ‘convict’ a party’s candidate who resides in Akwa Ibom?

Since 23rd December, 2022, Pastor Umo Eno has been going on campaigns across the State, and this conviction warrant has not been effected. Is it going to be effected after his full tenure in 2031?

The truth is that the chickens have come home to roost, and having lost it all they are looking for dead straws to grab and clutch to avoid drowning. It is their stock in trade, to smear the image of those who have sent them on political retirements. From the obvious look of things, the PDP governorship candidate is focused on the ball. His campaigns is scheduled today for Ika local government area. And it appears no amount of hate speech and cooked up lies will distract a man whose acceptability and towering profile sends shivers down the spines of political opponents.

If they spend as much time in campaigning for support from the electorate, if they spend as much energy in courts to appeal and clear their names of their fraud cases, if they even have the love to impact on the lives of those they seek to lead by creating sources of livelihoods, I doubt if the merchants of this falsehood would have had time to manufacture and sell lies about a man whose only offense is that he defeated them in a transparent, free and fair party primaries.

…PASSPORT SEIZED, BANNED FROM TRAVELING OUT OF AKWA IBOM

It has also been uncovered that the federal high court in Port Harcourt had slammed an injunction barring the Senator from traveling out of Akwa Ibom State.

Similarly, the embattled senator has been stripped of his international passports, diplomatic papers and has been placed on the watchlist of the Nigerian Immigration Service.

This is the summary of the court judgement granting bail to the Senator last week, a copy of which is with the Global Pilot Newspaper.

An aide to the convicted Senator and YPP Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Senator Bassey Albert had told the Federal High Court sitting in Port-Harcourt that his boss has been suffering from a life threatening ailment, being hypertension and diabetes hence the need for the court to grant him bail to enable him access proper medical attention outside the correctional facility.

Ini Utuk, a legislative aide to the embattled Senator had disclosed this in an affidavit in support of the Senator's appeal pending bail application.

He also told the court that his case may not be attended to in the next two years following the avalanche of pre-election cases in the appellate court.

The Court had on 28th December, 2022 granted the convicted YPP Governorship candidate bail pending the hearing and determination of the appeal against his conviction and sentence by the court.

Recall that the embattled Senator was jailed on December 1st, 2022 by the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo , having been found guilty of corruption and fraud related charges brought against him by the EFCC.


Utuk in the deposed affidavit told the court, “I know as a fact that the Applicant has been batting with
serious medical condition of Hypertension and Diabetes that requires specialized medical attention which cannot be provided in prison custody.

“Now shown to me and exhibited
hereto is a report from the Applicants personal physician
marked Exhibit AB2”

“I know as a fact that upon being brought to the Correctional Centre, the applicant was subjected to medical examination by a Government Officer. The report of the medical examination shows that the Applicant has been suffering from hypertension and diabetes.

“Now shown to me and exhibited hereto is a copy of the medical report of the Government Medical Officer marked as exhibit AB3.

“In that medical report, the medical Officer also expressed fear that if the applicant is not given proper medical attention, he stands a high risk of developing complications that could result in sudden death”.


Ini Etuk also pleaded with the court that his fears that the Senator’s appeal may not be heard in two years time. “Although the Applicant is doing everything permitted by law to fast track his appeal, it might take more than two (2) years for the Court of Appeal Calabar Division to determine his appeal due to the congestion of cases in that Court. In addition to the already existing congestion at the
Court of Appeal, there is presently the upsurge in pre-election cases whose appeals further congest the Court of Appeal.

“There is also the looming general elections for the year 2023 which usually results in a lot of election
petitions and appeals that further congest the already congested Court of Appeal".

“ Given the real likelihood of the appeal lasting at the
Court of Appeal for a fairly long period before determined, by no fault of the Applicant or the Court of Appeal, the Applicant might end up serving a substantial part of his sentence before an appeal against his conviction is determined by the Court of Appeal”.

This application by the Senator confirms the fears that his appeal against the judgement of the federal high court is yet to come up for hearing before the Appellate Court.

Filing application for his bail, OBA's lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) had described his client as a person of good character and behavior, adding that having served as a former Commissioner in Akwa lbom State and a two term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and the gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the forthcoming 2023 Governorship Election in Akwa lbom State, he would not jump bail.

“The Applicant has had a longstanding ailment for 14 (Fourteen) years being cared for by dedicated physicians and requires
specialized medical attention which cannot be provided in prison custody.

“That unless this application is taken and granted the Applicant’s bail application may not be heard during the court's vacation as
the Federal High Court is presently on vacation.

In its ruling, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice S.I Mark, granted bail to the Convict in the sum of Fifty Millon Naira (N50,000.000.00) with two sureties in like sum.

Both sureties were asked to provide a valid Certificate of Occupancy of properties in Rivers State and depose to affidavit of means.

The Applicant was asked to deposit all his International
Passports with the Registry of this Court, including any official and diplomatic passport.

The National Immigration Service was to be notified of the bail conditions as it relates to the passport

The Applicant was mandated to file a written undertaking not to leave its jurisdiction without approval of the court.

His initial alleged attempt to use a football match orchestrated injury to make the bail application, was however jettisoned when he was told that a medical report by his private doctor was as useless as a toilet tissue and that he needed the report from a government owned health facility to make a case for bail.

Emmanuel Nicholas

The Akwa Ibom chapter of the Young Progressives Party has become a dome of melodrama, where celebrations are faked to smack acceptability or popularity.

Senator Bassey Albert was convicted and sentenced to 42 years in prison, but granted bail pending his appeal, by the vacation Federal High Court, on health grounds.
So celebrating of bail when the conviction is still on is like celebrating the birth of a dead child .

Once a person is convicted, bail cannot be granted as a matter of course or as of right. It can only be granted on special and exceptional circumstance(s) as it was in this case. See Jamal v. State (1996)

This kind of bail is always established when ill-health afflicting the convict cannot be treated by the prison authority or if it is an infectious disease that may be hazardous to other inmates and/ or prison officials especially if there are no quarantine facilities within the prison with which the authorities can deploy to contain it, may also be considered as grounds for bail by the court.

Kindly note that a mere allegation of ill-health does not entitle an applicant to be granted bail, unless such ill-health is so compelling that a refusal of same may lead to death or be hazardous to others.

Before they approached the court sitting in Port Harcourt, we learnt that he was rushed to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.
This was why the bail was granted, but he is still a convict and without any known legal right to be a candidate in any election in Nigeria.

So, what should be more important to the leaf party should be getting the conviction tag that is hanging on his neck like a dog medal removed, because without setting aside that conviction, Sen Bassey Albert is not eligible to be voted for.

The Nigerian 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, section 137, states that “No person shall be qualified for the elections as a President or Governor if within a period of less than ten years before the date of an election to the Governorship or Presidential election, he has been convicted and sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty, or he has been found guilty of a contravention of the Code of Conduct law.

So taking a few miscreants that were not up to five thousand people across uyo city, molesting people on the streets, shattering windscreens of cars of people that they saw Pastor Umo Eno's campaign stickers on , was one event that would have been avoided.

I was driving through Oron Road currently, when over four of the miscreants tried to removed a poster from the back of a Keke rider, and the occupant resisted them, they used the leaves in their hands to beat the keke rider.

If not for the intervention of some individuals still in their team who came to stop them , no one knows what would have happened there.

This is the major reason, a lot of Akwa Ibom people reject the candidature of Bassey Albert, the fear of the return of violent crimes to the State, like kidnapping, assassination and cult wars.

Sen Bassey Albert's grandstanding with his hooligans across the streets of Uyo, is a clear violation of his bail terms and conditions, and the court may have to revoke her earlier decision if what they did is brought to the notice of the Vacation Appeal Court

Post-conviction bail is defined as the temporary release of a convict or an appellant after the conclusion of a trial and pending the determination of an appeal. Because of the nature of this bail involving a convict who has been sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Court rarely grants post-conviction bail unless in the exceptional circumstances like life-threatening health condition, but strict rules are always attached.

The terms and conditions of post conviction bail on ill health grounds are
(a) The convict should not be seen in public, being part of any straineous event
(b) He or She should be seen more at the medical facility and/or his home.

So, Sen Bassey Albert conducting a rally on the day he was released violated his bail condition outrightly and the bail should be voided by a lawful court.

The worrisome trend projected by members of YPP, is celebrating the bail as if the conviction has been set aside. It is important at this stage to educate the very ignorant YPP members that the bail granted their convicted Principal does not invalidate his conviction and by the Nigeria 1999 constitution he would not be presented or allowed to be voted for.

I see a total loss of senses and the crumbling of moral values within the fabric of YPP as they came out to project fake celebrations in their bid to continue to mislead Akwa Ibom people that Sen Bassey Albert is still a Candidate in the forthcoming 2023 Akwa Ibom Gubernatorial elections.

Whereas his candidacy had been indirectly voided from the day he was convicted and sentenced, without that judgement being set aside, or he is acquitted by the Appeal Court of any wrongdoing , he cannot be part of that electioneering process.

In cases involving bail pending the determination of an appeal, bail is not granted to the applicant who has already been convicted and sentenced as a matter of course. The presumption of innocence no longer exists, and the applicant must show special or exceptional circumstances to be entitled to bail pending appeal.

A person who has not been found guilty of an offence is prima facie entitled to his liberty whereas once he is convicted by a competent court, he is prima facie deprived of the right to liberty.[101]

So, in whatever fact(s) of his health crises that his legal counsels presented in court to get him bailed, he should respect the terms and conditions of the bail.

Bassey Albert should not use that opportunity to hire hooligans to walk the streets of Akwa Ibom State and molest innocent citizens

YPP should be organizing prayers, begging God to grant Bassey Albert leniency so that the years of conviction can be reduced or he is acquitted of any wrongdoing.

But as it stands today, Sen Bassey Albert is no more a candidate in the forthcoming election, pending the outcome of Appeal.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has formally received the 2022 African Regional Magazine Award of "Subnational Governor with Best Economic Blueprint in Africa", even as Akwa Ibom has emerged "Most Progressive Subnation in Africa".

The Awards which were presented at the 2022 African Regional Journal Forum and Trade Fair, in Angola through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, were re-presented to the Governor today at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo.

Receiving the awards, Governor Emmanuel thanked the continental media organization for noticing the efforts of the state government and for honouring the state, and dedicated the award to officials and people of the state who have helped in various ways to drive the government to success.

Also receiving a publication on his achievements by the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Practitioners, "The Scorecard", the Governor expressed gratitude to the association for the ingenuity painstakingly showcasing government imprints in the state, describing the gesture as pro development and an encouragement to his administration.

Presenting the awards, Mr. Essien Ndueso communicated the sentiments of Nigeria's Ambassador to Angola, Professor Monique Ekpong, while presenting the awards originally at the Angola event.

According to him, Prof. Ekpong had expressed great pleasure to identify with the accomplishments of Governor Udom Emmanuel which, she said, have made the State one of Africa's best destinations.

The Envoy was also said to have attested to being a firsthand witness to the achievements of the Udom Emmanuel led government in Akwa Ibom State, hence urging other subnational leaders in Africa to emulate the gesture.

On the Eket Senatorial District Media Practitioners' publication, Mr. Ndueso, Board of Trustees Chairman of the Association, told the governor that his kinsmen in the media profession were proud of his achievements, hence their determination to document his legacies for posterity.

He said the association was made up of journalists, public relations professionals, social media influencers and bloggers who are United by the zeal to profess development journalism.

Fielding questions with Government House correspondents, the Chairman of the Association, Elder Edet Okpo, said for a noiseless achiever like Governor Emmanuel, it was apt for well-meaning professionals to identify with and project the gains of his government. This, he stated, the Association was determined to undertake.

Another Trustee, Mrs. Florence Umoetuk, a former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, explained that the Association was independent and not government funded and so was not bound to be pro government, but that was convinced by the obvious, people oriented development strides of the Udom Emmanuel led government.

The Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo E. Udo PhD has put smiles on the faces of the people of Ewet Offot community with the renovation of a dilapidated primary health centre.

The community had endured many years of lack of access to a functional health facility, resulting in the loss of lives, especially among pregnant women.

Speaking while conducting journalists around the remodelled facility on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Council said that the facility would greatly add value to the healthcare needs of the people.

He disclosed that the Council has enlisted the support of the Charity Wing of a non-governmental organization, Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saint to provide equipment worth almost N20m to the facility.

He said "This is the remodelled primary health facility undertaken by Uyo Local government Council to add value to the health care needs of our people, especially Ewet Offot axis. The only functional health centre around this place is at Barracks road. There was a big need to meet the needs in furtherance of our desire and resolve to add value to the lives of the people around here.

"One of the key motivating factors is that we have been able to enlist the support of an NGO, Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saint who promised to give us equipment worth almost N20m. They are working on the equipment as we speak and before the close of work today or tomorrow, the equipment will arrive for commissioning on Friday".

Udo described the facility before the intervention as an eyesore, adding that during the rainy season the entire roof leaks.

According to him during such period, health workers spent a greater deal of their time scooping water to enable them to operate optimally.

"This place was a no-go area, especially during the raining season because everywhere was leaking, once it rains they use buckets to scoop water," the chairman said.

Corroborating his words, the community health officer in charge of the facility, Mrs. Rose Okon said her spirit was down when she was posted to head the facility because of the rot that had taken over the place.

She said to compound the situation, a coconut tree fell and destroyed one of the rooms, adding that during the rainy season, workers pass through a lot of difficulties.

She said "When I was posted here my spirit was down because of the situation of the place; as if that was not enough, we had a disaster that happened. A coconut tree fell on top of the roof and pull down the roof of one of the rooms. During raining season we passed through a lot. We killed snakes here two times, not to talk of rodents and termites.

She lauded the timely intervention of the chairman which she noted would go a long way to save a lot of lives in the area.

A Youth leader of the community, Comrade Joseph Nyong also commended the timely intervention of the local government area, adding that it was a dream come true for the Community.

"We were only contemplating a re-roof but the chairman who is loving thought it wise to go in-depth to renovate this facility and as you can see this place is not only renovated, this is a transformation, and the people of Ewet Offot will remain grateful to him," he said.

PRESS RELEASE

(12th December, 2022).

The attention of the Supreme Youth Council of Ikpa Ikono Clan, Mkpat Enin Local Government has been drawn to a publication in sections of the media purporting the endorsement of Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen for senate by the clan. The publication is hogwash, untrue and only a figment of the imagination of the purveyors and their paymasters. A total heist by dregs to swindle 'amateurish' politicians like Mr. Inyangeyen and give him false hope.

As a high ranking youth body in the area, we wish to put record straight and state categorically that Ikpa Ikono Clan has not and will never endorse Mr. Inyangeyen for senate, as the former Works Commissioner has not done anything to merit our support.

As a matter of fact, we had received a tip-off weeks ago, that Mr. Ephraim Inyang, acting through an estranged junior civil servant and serial blackmailer, one Sunday Ime Paul alongside a few dregs in the area, was going about sharing a list he christened, 'Empowerment List' to all the villages in Ikpa Ikono Clan. Lied to on the guise that it was an actual 'Empowerment List', the gullible rural dwellers were asked to write their names, signatures and phone numbers. Mr. Sunday Ime Paul and his cronies then collated the lists and presented to Mr. Inyangeyen as 'Endorsement by Ikpa lkono People'. It is shameful how Mr. Inyang-eyen will employ graft and phony ponzi styled 'empowerment list' to seek cheap endorsement, where he clearly has none.

We assume that Mr. Inyangeyen in his usual political naivety must have believed his 'Cash and Carry Ikpa Ikono Emissary' that he has secured the Clan. This must have prompted him to shell out part of his ill-gotten cash to sponsor media advertorials for that 'Back Door Endorsement'.

For the interest of the public, we wish you state here again that, this same Ephraim Inyang that is now falling over heels to get the support of Ikpa Ikono Clan has always constantly insulted Ikpa Ikono Clan, and by extension, Mkpat Enin. His disdain for the clan is well documented.

It was Ephraim Inyang, who then as Commissioner for Works, when asked by our elders about the delay in take-off of any road project in Ikpa Ikono, he hit back in his usual loquacious manner, saying roads in Ikpa Ikono do not have any 'economic value'.
This was after he had kept our elders waiting for him for over 7 hours.

It is bemusing for Mr. Inyangeyen and his cohorts to then think that Ikpa Ikono will leave their illustrious son, Rt Hon.(Barr.) Ekong Sampson(Adaiso Ikpa Ikono) to give him even a sphincter of vote.

As a matter of fact, Ekong Sampson for Senate is already a done deal, not only in Ikpa Ikono Clan but the entire Eket Senatorial District. The entire Ikpa Ikono Clan is fully with the Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin. Our support is unflinching.

Ekong Sampson is our beacon of light - a man who has done so much for Ikpa Ikono Clan. The Asan Iffe(Clan Center) that Inyangeyen used for his rancorous campaign the other time, was built by Dr. Ekong Sampson. Mr. Inyang-eyen, who has amassed so much wealth by sucking the common patrimony of our state, over bloated contracts and surcharging property owners should point to one person he has ever helped or empowered in Ikpa Ikono clan. He should wither away with his emergency love and philanthropy for Ikpa Ikono clan now, because elections are here.

Meanwhile, Ekong Sampson, whom Inyangeyen's new found cronies tried to cast aspersions on in that trash release, is the man who brought electricity to the entire Ikpa Ikono Clan. The area had no electricity at all before he came into power as Council Chairman of Mkpat Enin in the 2000s.

Ekong Sampson has given employment to numerous sons and daughters of Ikpa Ikono clan in both public and private sectors. He established one of the best community schools in the state, Excellence College, in Ikpa Ikono. He has built a lot of school facilities, hospitals across the clan and trained a lot of youths in the area.

We know how much Ekong Sampson has been fighting over the years to bring tarred roads to Ikpa Ikono and we know that as senator, this will become a reality.

For starters, the road between Iton and Ikot Ekpe was personally opened by the Onomkpoinam when he was in the State Assembly.

As a candidate who is eminently favored by zoning, experience, capacity and character, Ekong Sampson for Senate is already a phenomenom in Eket Senatorial District. He has been roundly endorsed even beyond party lines. The entire Akwa Ibom South and Nigeria is awaiting Senator-in-Waiting, Dr. Ekong Sampson.

We therefore, wish to use this avenue to call on members of the public to disregard the earlier purported endorsement, as it is yet another of Inyang-eyen's public trops.
We equally sound a stern warning to agents of darkness, who are fond of using the name of Ikpa Ikono Clan for their cash out heists on political neophytes such as Inyangeyen to desist fortwith.



Signed:

Comrade Idongesit Umoetuk,
President

Comrade Sunday Okon
Secretary General

...Says OBA Committed the Crime in PDP

A youth wing of the Young Progressives Party, has expressed displeasure towards the manner in which the name of the party has been put to disrepute and ridicule by members of the public owing to the recent conviction and jailing of a Senator, Bassey Albert Akpan.

They have also insisted that the offenses for which Bassey Albert has been jailed were committed while he was still a PDP member and has nothing to do with their party.

In a press conference organised by the group, Young Progressives Party Accountability Ambassadors(YPPAA),led by the chairman, Comrade Itohowo Umoh, he noted that the trending headlines of the past few days following the conviction of Sen. Bassey Albert by the Federal High Court sitting at Uyo have projected their party in a negative light.

He further frowned at the attempt from some quarters to paint the party as being sympathetic to a judicially established official corruption.

"For the avoidance of doubt and to safeguard the minds of the public from being polluted with the impression that YPP condones corruption, we wish to categorically distance ourselves from the corrupt act and the culminating conviction.

“YPP is a party with lofty moral ideals usually absent in other political parties.

"Our party is known for due process, accountability and integrity. These virtues are copiously given pre-eminence even in the constitution of the party.”

The group maintained that, “as a party with ideology aimed at effective governance, probity and accountability we eschew official corruption no matter the guise it takes.

“Ours is a young party with a progressive philosophy that sets the standard in political morality in Nigeria. "

Comrade Umoh, said that their reason is based on verifiable facts that the charges were preferred prior to the convict joining YPP as the criminal trial was concluded in May 2022 while the convict joined the party in July 2022, adding that the events leading to the facts giving rise to the corruption charges did not take place in YPP.

He further said that those things do not represent the core values of their party stating that It is the vision of their party to build an egalitarian society driven by mentally progressive and young innovative leaders devoid of greed.

"The party is aiming to establish a free and democratic society in which the powers and actions of government are lawful and where those in authority are held accountable to the people.

"Even though the person in question later purportedly secured a YPP gubernatorial ticket under suspicious circumstances, which is still a subject of an ongoing litigation, we reject the attempt to smear our party with the mire of corruption.

“We disown everything relating to that conviction as they do not represent the virtues propagated by YPP as a party and us as a group within the party. We will not be blackmailed into pampering corruption in the name of party solidarity"

Umoh said that they believe that despite any temporary setback that appears to derail the party from its good plans for Akwa Ibom people, their party will bounce back stronger with a more credible and capable candidate to secure victory in the coming elections.

He also expressed unflinching support for the party and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections, particularly their presidential candidate, Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim who has an agenda to reset Nigeria and make it work for the good of all.

A youth wing of the Young Progressives Party, has expressed displeasure towards the manner in which the name of the party has been put to disrepute and ridicule by members of the public owing to the recent conviction and jailing of a Senator, Bassey Albert Akpan.

They have also insisted that the offenses for which Bassey Albert has been jailed were committed while he was still a PDP member and has nothing to do with their party.

In a press conference organised by the group, Young Progressives Party Accountability Ambassadors(YPPAA),led by the chairman, Comrade Itohowo Umoh, he noted that the trending headlines of the past few days following the conviction of Sen. Bassey Albert by the Federal High Court sitting at Uyo have projected their party in a negative light.

He further frowned at the attempt from some quarters to paint the party as being sympathetic to a judicially established official corruption.

"For the avoidance of doubt and to safeguard the minds of the public from being polluted with the impression that YPP condones corruption, we wish to categorically distance ourselves from the corrupt act and the culminating conviction.

“YPP is a party with lofty moral ideals usually absent in other political parties.

"Our party is known for due process, accountability and integrity. These virtues are copiously given pre-eminence even in the constitution of the party.”

The group maintained that, “as a party with ideology aimed at effective governance, probity and accountability we eschew official corruption no matter the guise it takes.

“Ours is a young party with a progressive philosophy that sets the standard in political morality in Nigeria. "

Comrade Umoh, said that their reason is based on verifiable facts that the charges were preferred prior to the convict joining YPP as the criminal trial was concluded in May 2022 while the convict joined the party in July 2022, adding that the events leading to the facts giving rise to the corruption charges did not take place in YPP.

He further said that those things do not represent the core values of their party stating that It is the vision of their party to build an egalitarian society driven by mentally progressive and young innovative leaders devoid of greed.

"The party is aiming to establish a free and democratic society in which the powers and actions of government are lawful and where those in authority are held accountable to the people.

"Even though the person in question later purportedly secured a YPP gubernatorial ticket under suspicious circumstances, which is still a subject of an ongoing litigation, we reject the attempt to smear our party with the mire of corruption.

“We disown everything relating to that conviction as they do not represent the virtues propagated by YPP as a party and us as a group within the party. We will not be blackmailed into pampering corruption in the name of party solidarity"

Umoh said that they believe that despite any temporary setback that appears to derail the party from its good plans for Akwa Ibom people, their party will bounce back stronger with a more credible and capable candidate to secure victory in the coming elections.

He also expressed unflinching support for the party and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections, particularly their presidential candidate, Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim who has an agenda to reset Nigeria and make it work for the good of all.

AKWA IBOM INTEGRITY ALLIANCE

PRESS RELEASE

In the last couple of days, the media space has been inundated with interviews, public declarations and press releases(albeit poorly scripted), by Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen and his cronies, alleging among other things plots to have him arrested by the law enforcement agents and also raining abuses on our grand patron, His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel, as the architect of the political misfortunes of his political party, the YPP.

At the risk of conferring significance to the series of diatribes emanating from the sacked former State Executive Council member, Inyangeyen, we believe as watchdogs of the society, we owe right-thinking members of the public the responsibility to properly inform them.

In as much as everything untoward is expected from Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen, we thought that he would have at least been humbly reasonable to slow down his unreasonable onslaught on his benefactor, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel whom God used to give a fresh life and attain unprecedented unarguably wealth status and relevance in the society. Today, by his headless insult to the same Udom Emmanuel that God used to reverse his irreversibly bent life, Mr Inyangeyen has not disappointed the protagonists of his dark destiny.


We are shocked to observe the series of attacks on Governor Udom Emmanuel linking the governor to the self-inflicted woes of Senator Bassey Albert, a man convicted by the court for money laundering, fraud, bribery and corruption in a protracted case instituted by the federal government through its anti graft agency, the EFCC. Whether it is by ignorance or outright hatred for Governor Udom Emmanuel, it is shameful for Ephraim to link the Governor to Bassey Albert's ordeal. The senator has only reaped what he sowed. That is exactly what he bargained for when he immersed himself in the ocean of corruption. That Ephraim would be the numero uno in lamenting the conviction of the convicted Senator, simply fulfill the age long axiom, “show me your friend and I tell you who you are”. Today nobody is bothered to ask if the 3billion naira contract to Jide Omokore, for which Bassey Albert received 204million naira as kickback, was actually executed or if the embezzled money could have helped offset some of the backlogs of gratuities and pension arrears that the past administration left behind for Mr Udom Emmanuel in 2015.

We are aware of the fact that Mr. Ephraim Inyang is seeking public sympathy from the people of Eket senatorial district ahead of his 2023 failed Senate aspiration. It is rather unfortunate that instead of working tirelessly to redeem the battered reputation of their principal, by genuinely apologizing to Akwa Ibom people for his misdeeds in public office, he and his cohorts have chosen mudslinging and blackmailing as a tool to curry public sympathy.

At this point, one is force to ask, was Ephraim Inyang praying for a time like this so he can capitalize on Bassey Albert’s conviction as a political capital? His crocodile tears notwithstanding, everyone remembers Ephraim as a man without conscience, who usually acted lawlessly as a public officer, going outside official briefs to pull down houses, insulting communities to the utter embarrassment of government that managed him.

Truth be told, the arrest of Ephraim Inyang will be of no economic or political benefits to anyone and will not stop the enthronement of the divine successor to Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State who is generally accepted by Akwa Ibom people.

The unfounded allegation of an unexisting plot to arrest Mr Inyangeyen only exists as a figment of the imagination of the man with the last kicks of a drowning horse Senatorial ambition. No one needs to witch-hunt Ephraim Inyang. As far as we are concerned, Ephraim Inyang's tambling, ranting, and calling the Governor names in his self-inflicted wounds of dishonor, are signals of reek of failure and fear of the unknown.

Whatever issues Ephraim Inyang has with the police or any other security agency is his cup of tea and, when that happens, he should have none but himself alone to blame.

We cease this opportunity therefore to advise him to desist from further unwarranted attacks on the governor.
If by chance Ephraim Inyangeyen has issues to settle with the law court, the police and other law enforcement agencies, let him leave Mr Udom Emmanuel out of it. He who has ants in his firewood can only be inviting lizards to a feast.



BARR STEVE ABIA
CHAIRMAN
03/12/22

... Says Umo Eno's chance in Itu is 100%

As the 2023 general elections draws closer, the chances of PDP winning landslide in Akwa Ibom has received a further boost as a famous youth leader and mobilizer, Mr Ebong Archibong Okon has assured that the party will win convincingly in his home LGA of Itu.

Okon made this known to a team of newsmen on Saturday, 3rd November at the party's rally at the council secretariat.

Speaking to newsmen, the youth leader who is referred to by friends, fans and supporters as 'Kiwi' expressed satisfaction at the turn up of people of Itu, stressing that the massive crowd as well as defection to PDP from other political parties is a testament to the fact that Itu is one of the pillars of PDP in the state.

"I am happy to see this massive crowd in Itu, it goes to show that Itu LGA is totally for PDP and that Umo Eno's chances of winning with an unprecedented margin is 100%.

"Major opposition members in Itu have all collapsed their structures and defected to the PDP, this has further brightened the chances of Pastor Umo Eno and other candidates of the party, I can assure you, PDP will win 5/5 in Itu LGA" he said.

Okon also applauded the Governor for establishing a car assembly plant in Itu, stressing that the factory will go a long way in putting food on the table for many youths in the area.

On the issue of succession and continuity, he observed that the process will ensure that lofty projects of the Udom Emmanuel's led administration will be completed and on time, adding that the people of Itu will benefit greatly from Umo Eno's administration.

The Completion Agenda of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration in Akwa Ibom State will further receive a boost with the take-off of the Car Assembling Plant, inauguration of Mary Slessor road and other road projects under execution in Itu Local Government Area come 2023 .

The state Governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Udom Emmanuel announced this, Saturday, when he led the campaign train to Itu Local Government Area for a rally ahead of to the 2023 general elections.

Governor Emmanuel further announced that the State Government will take over ownership of Community Secondary School, Oku Iboku, with effect from January, 1st, 2023, and called on the Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Committe to commence rehabilitation of the school to suit the new status and for ease of learning.

"I want to assure the major stakeholders here that the four major road construction we will do everything possible to commission more than 50% before I leave office, like the Mary Slessor Road, I told them that they must complete that bridge.

"I want to assure you that effect January 1, 2023 the state government will take over the ownership and administration of Community Secondary School, Oku Iboku and I will authorize the department of inter-ministerial direct labour agency to move in there and commence total rehabilitation".

The Chief Executive however urged the people of Itu not to fall for the political blackmail peddled against his administration, pointing out that the federal government has cleared the air in respect of the 13% oil derivation refunds which has exonerated the state government from the plot of blackmailers.

"Don't mind all the blackmailers and naysayers, presidency came out on their own to tell Akwa Ibom don't listen to those lies against your governor, the money they said your governor collected he did not collect it.

“For the first time the federal government has come out to exonerate a governor", he stated.

Earlier, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Umo Eno promised Itu people agricultural revolution, creation of tourist sites that will generate revenue and employment for the youths, resolution of the lingering boundary issues as well as collaboration with the Federal government to address the ecological menace ravaging part of the area.

Pastor Eno also promised to address the issue of indiscriminate parking of trucks along the highway by building a park within his first 100 days in office and assured of resuscitation of the Ibom Science Park to engage the youths meaningfully.

Earlier, the State PDP Chairman Elder Aniekan Akpan, thanked the governor for providing good leadership that has made the party the preferred in the state as evident in the number of defectors from other parties to PDP.

He called on the electorates to vote for Pastor Umo Eno, assuring that he will make the state proud when he assume the saddle of leadership as governor.

While welcoming the party faithful to his domain, the Chairman Itu LGA, Ettetim Onuk, expressed appreciation to the governor for leading the campaign train to Itu to canvas support for PDP in the forthcoming election.

He described Umo Eno as God's gift to the people of Akwa Ibom, adding that Itu remains a PDP fortress having adopted Umo Eno as their son and preferred gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 general elections.

Highpoint of the rally was the presentation of candidates by Elder Aniekan Akpan who impressed on the people to vote PDP in the coming elections for continued peace and development of the state.

Everything that has an end equally has a beginning. But it is quite unfortunate that people often ignore how it started, and dwell on the conclusion that is founded on assumption. Such conclusion is often erroneous, hence the essence of this piece aimed at tracing the 'etymology' of Bassey Albert Akpan's travail that landed him in prison.

It was in 2013 during Godswill Akpabio's second term in office that OBA started campaigning for his governorship ambition, even when Akpabio had told him that it was the turn of Eket Senatorial district to produce the governor. At this point, Bassey Albert was one of the most powerful commissioners in Akpabio's administration, having manned the finance ministry for over 5 years, and doubled as the chairman of the Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating committee. Hence, he had the financial muscle to challenge Akpabio, who was rooting for a candidate from Eket senatorial district.

As expected, there were verbal attacks, tempers rose and there was tension in the polity which made Akpabio to describe OBA as Political Absalom, in reference to David's son who rose against his father to unseat him and rule in his stead.

This was when party stakeholders and other significant individuals in the state called them for peace talks. After much deliberations and in line with the governorship rotation arrangement that had existed over the years, OBA was then offered the senatorial ticket of the party which he gladly accepted, and had served for over 7 years.

It was at this time that Barr. Leo Ekpenyong wrote a petition against Godswill Akpabio and Obong Bassey Albert over financial misappropriation and other related matters. Leo Ekpenyong does not need any introduction when it comes to petition writing against politicians in Akwa Ibom state. This was the beginning of OBA'S years of battle with the EFCC.

Based on the allegations of Leo Ekpenyong, Akpabio too was at a point invited by the EFCC but was latter left off the hook.
It is alleged that Akpabio paid Ekpenyong handsomely to drop the petition against him, while OBA'S case was sustained. This was far back in 2013.

OBA's case was said to have been made worse when Mr. Olajide Omokare, was said to have been prosecuted for money laundering. It was reported that Omokare in his confession had also named OBA as a beneficiary of money laundering allegations. Armed with the confessions in addition to Leo Ekpeyong's petition, the EFCC has sufficient evidences to nail OBA.

Again, since Akpabio hardly forgives, it was rumoured then that Akpabio equipped Leo Ekpenyong with vital documents capable of nailing OBA to the cross of prosecution in the hands of the EFCC, and OBA'S travail continued.

The question now is: who started the case? Leo Ekpenyong. Who paid for the case to be sustained? Akpabio.

This is the same Barr. Ekpenyong that published malicious contents against Gov. Udom Emmanuel. Not quite long, Ekpenyong accused Governor Emmanuel of paying the judge to deliver judgment against Inibehe Effiong. This shows that Gov. Emmanuel is not even in the "good book" of Leo Ekpenyong.

At this time, Governor Udom Emmanuel was never in the picture. He was not even in government. It is nonsensical to drag Gov. Emmanuel's name to this case.

Remember, OBA was first arraigned in Lagos, before he, through his lawyers requested that the case be transferred to Uyo, which the court obliged after reasoning alongside their line of thought.

The case was still on course all this while until yesterday that the court finally decided on the case.


After series of hearings, arguments and counter-arguments, OBA accepted before the court that he had collected the said luxury vehicles, though according to him were for campaign purposes.

The prosecutor (EFCC) now with such admittance received a boost to their case. The counsel to the EFCC tendered all the facts of the case and the evidence thereof, which were substances used to the judgment.

It was proven beyond every reasonable doubt, that OBA contravenes section 15(12)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, as (amended) and punishable by section 15(3) of the same Act.

The case was decided on the natural grounds that OBA was guilty as charged.

Where then is Gov. Emmanuel's involvement in the case? The Governor had said it again and again that he was not even aware of the facts of the case.

Truth be told, Gov. Emmanuel does not have a hand in the judgment. Akwa Ibom people should ask Leo Ekpenyong and Godswill Akpabio who started the case. They have the answer to the fate of Bassey Albert.

By Barr Ewa Okpo ( Watchout Naija)

Yeah, the Federal High Court has at the instance of the EFCC sent Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) to jail over corruption charges and I know some of my friends are bitter now. Well, not everybody celebrates other people's political woes like some of them. I, too, am not jubilant. I have long offered them my condolences as an empathetic adversary.

Albeit, I also strongly hold that while the case may had been politically instigated, the judgement isn't. Oba himself admitted receipt of those items. Even at gun point I would have asked him as his lawyer NEVER to admit. At that point it was pretty straightforward what Justice Okereke would do. I'm not particularly My Lord's fan but there are things I know My Lord enough to vouch for.

Dearly beloved, that judge is a frightening disciplinarian. I remember how she threatened to order the arrest of Godswill Akpabio in a politically instigated charge I was defending before her in 2018. It was the build up to the 2019 general elections and the APCs were being over run by PDP media. To even the score they attempted to poach the PDP media guys, when it didn't work, they resorted to intimidation by arresting them on trumped up charges. Utitofon Morgan Ukpong the publisher of Sitippe Akwa Ibom was one of the victims and the one before the judge. Guess what, after three court dates, Sen. Godswill Akpabio who had personally hand written petition against Utitofon was needed to testify in court but never showed up. What was their excuse? He was attending meetings with Mr. President! Jehovah Madagascar! My Lord, was bewildered! Was that supposed to impress the court or what?! "Counsel, tell your Senator that I'll order his arrest if he doesn't appear before this court on the next adjourned date. Someone's freedom is at stake here and he's busy attending meetings with Mr. President. Didn't he know he would be attending those meetings when he caused you to arrest and charge somebody before me?"

The only way out for Akpabio was for the matter to be struck out for want of diligent prosecution. Luckily for them also, my client didn't push for malicious prosecution.

In the instant case, from the moment OBA admitted to receiving car gifts as a commissioner of finance and chairman of interministerial and direct labour coordinating committee in the state from Mr. Olamide Omokore being a contractor in the state he was jolly well telling the court that the Lord was preparing a place for him at the Correctional centre and that he should be sent there. Hence, the court only granted that wish.

C'mon, OBA ought to have known that as a public office holders he cannot accept gratifications from persons doing business with the state where he is directly or indirectly involved in the business process. He ought to know also that since his contractor friend was before then having a running battle with the EFCC over some petroleum ministry saga that receiving anything from him would amount to receiving and/or benefit from proceeds of a crime. And all of this happened in December of 2012. Perhaps, this should inspire the office of the Attorney General and Secretary to State Government in the next administration to organise compulsory training for elected and appointed members of government on what is required of them to do and not do in office.

What piqued me more as a lawyer is the fact that this matter actually started in Lagos State. It was OBA himself who fought hard for it to be brought to Uyo division of the Federal High Court. Why travel that distance home only to come admit guilt? He could have just plea bargained in Lagos (since he was going to admit the allegations) and gotten a deal for himself that we'd have all forgotten about by now. Instead, he didn't only fight for the case to be moved from Lagos to Uyo but also allowed the case to linger for years till his election year. That's how he didn't take his senatorial election petition case seriously until judgement was issued against him that he had to run helter skelter for help at the appeal. Perhaps this also will teach Akwa Ibom politicians lesson about the courts and lawyers. Most of them do not take their lawyers, doctors, accountants and other professionals seriously until their "life" is at stake then a fire brigade approach is activated while pointing accusing fingers at every other person except themselves.

Curiously, I understand even those who should have helped create doubt in the EFCC's case against OBA demurred. So OBA resigned as commissioner in 2014. By 2015 he had a campaign organisation. Ordinarily, it would have been said that the gifts were given to the campaign organisation but those who should have owned up to this played a good act in court exonerating themselves in their testimony. By the way, if the gift was made in December 2012 how does a campaign organisation that was formed two years later come in to claim receipt of it? In the end, since a case of bribery couldn't be established, a case of receiving proceeds from a criminal activity became more plausible.
At appeal, his legal team will have to work hard to convince the court otherwise. It's going to be tricky, interesting and technical. If they succeed, an aspect of our criminal jurisprudence will be greatly developed. God help them.

Now, as a politically invested person I find it more interesting to find that the fellow who allegedly began this EFCC instigation against Senator Obong Bassey Albert is currently a strong henchman of OBA. What was he thinking when he wrote the petition against Oba to the EFCC? What did he do about it after he reconciled his interest with OBA? How did he feel when the court convicted his principal and was ferried to the prisons? How was his night last night knowing that his OBA was spending the same night at the prisons as a result of a petition he once wrote? If he slept at all, which I'm confident he did, knowing our politicians for what they are, how did he wake this morning knowing that he can't give a call to his OBA or even drive to his house this morning to wish him a happy weekend?

Assuming without conceding that Bassey Albert is guilty as charged by EFCC and convicted by the court is it that this same EFCC have not seen the likes of Tinubu and his so called "structures" in the southwest with their outrageous wealth to have investigated, prosecuted and convicted? Is it that the same EFCC have not been seeing how President Buhari's children, wife, relatives, friends and cabal members have suddenly become wealthier than Nigeria for them to have investigated, prosecuted and convicted? No! Because their people aren't going about plotting for their down fall.

My drift here is very simple, we should be careful of the length we would want to go to prove a political point against our supposed political rival because we may turn around to be the ultimate victim in the end. In Akwa Ibom State, once a fellow declares you his rival the length he'd go to antagonize you beats the whole stretch of Lucifer's imagination.
Some times, both of you are not even contending for anything in particular but just because your interests are not alligned, they will malign, debilitated, deracinate and virtually assassinate you like their existence depends desperately on your non existence. Then, when eventually things turn to your favour or they find themselves in need of your favour they'll forgive themselves on your behalf and suddenly begin to operate and relate with you like nothing happened. Those of the who'll even feign the decency of tendering an apology will do so with an ungodly sense of entitlement to your forgiveness that's if they don't blackmail you further to forgive them.

In this present election season we are all witnesses to all the dastardly acts we've been doling ourselves in the name of politics, we even do it to ourselves in the same camp. What a society of political extremists! That is why even when we're the architect of our own misfortune, instead of admitting our fault and seek help we turn around to compound our misfortune by pointing accusing fingers at others. What a tragic comedy of a delusional consolation.
This explains why Udom Emmanuel who did not write the petition against OBA, did not ask for the case to be transferred from Lagos to Uyo, did not delay the trial all this while, did not ask OBA to admit to accepting the said gifts, did not ask OBA's henchmen to fail to help their principal's case when they testified in court is now the one being accused of being responsible for OBA's conviction. Truly, as a man is in his heart, so he thinks others to be.

Similarly, the fellow who petitioned Sen. Godswill Akpabio to the EFCC that led to the ex-Governors embattlement with the agency later became Akpabio's ally and beneficiary while Gov. Udom Emmanuel who directed his Attorney General to obtain a perpetual injunction against the EFCC preventing them from attempting to unlawfully investigate and/or prosecute a (the) state government to witch-hunt Godswill Akpabio is now accused as Akpabio's head hunter. Verily, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Udom's head, I'm sure, can't wait to handover the crown to some other person and just rest. He has chosen Umo Eno. I pray that Akwa Ibom State will have good rest under Governor Umo Eno. Till then, may our prayers be also with Obong Bassey Albert.

Happy Yuletide.
Street Lawyer, Arbitrator and Literati

Rev Richard Peters

The case between sen. Bassey Albert Akpan and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a new dimension as the High Court in Uyo sentenced him to 42 years in prison. This has fueled so much controversies, accusations and counter-accusations in some quarters, and it is pertinent that this issue be holistically addressed accordingly.

Although those loyal to the embattled senator who has been in the case since 2014 are pointing accusing fingers at the state governor Udom Emmanuel, giving it a political colouration and branding it a politically sponsored travail using interpersonal deceptive theory to whip sentiment and mislead members of the public, the truth of the matter should be restated.

The theory so adopted by OBA'S men involves the use of intentional deception which requires greater cognitive exertion than truthful communication, especially when the sender of the message attempts falsification (lying), concealment (omitting material facts) or equivocation (skirting issues by changing the subject or responding indirectly).

However, to put the records straight, there is need for one to have an understanding of the genesis of the case.

In May 10, 2010, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan(then the Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Finance) was alleged to have received from Jide Omokore , a business man (who was later picked by the EFCC for questioning,) a BMW X5 (Bulletproof) worth N50 million; in December 2012 another Infinity QX 56(bulletproof) worth N45 million was also received from the same source, and 4 other luxury vehicles worth millions of naira each.

It is also interesting to note that OBA has directly admitted that he received all the said vehicles, though for campaign purposes, a position that the EFCC vehemently opposed to, as they claimed that those vehicles were luxury vehicles, and were proceeds of corruption, which contravenes section 15(12)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, as (amended) and punishable by section 15(3) of the same Act.

Quite interesting is the fact that it was Barr. Leo Ekpenyong, a strong supporter of Bassey Albert (who equally dragged Godswill Akpabio to the EFCC, though he later dropped Akpabio's case but held on to OBA's case) that petitioned Bassey Albert to the EFCC since 2014 when Governor Udom Emmanuel was not yet a governor. OBA was arrested; the bullet proof vehicles were recovered and statements of accounts he paid the said monies to were traced, tendered and admitted in court as evidence. He was later granted bail because he pleaded not guilty and continued to battle with the case since then till yesterday when the case was decided.

Remember, the case was not between Governor Udom Emmanuel or the State or an agency of the state, but was between the EFCC, an agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Bassey Albert.
Then, how come OBA'S loyalists are crying that Gov. Udom Emmanuel influenced the case to destabilize OBA's gubernatorial ambition.

Gov. Emmanuel has consistently stated that he does not even know the facts of the case, and is not directly or indirectly involved since it was the federal government agency that dragged OBA to court and not the state.

How come OBA'S campaign team described the verdict as travesty of justice? Let's put the records straight.

Did OBA at an open court accept that he received these luxury vehicles? Yes, he did.

Again, were these vehicles not recovered from him by the EFCC? The answer is a big Yes.

Now, it is common knowledge to note that whenever a case is brought to court, the court considers the merits of the case and the facts/evidence before it.

In the case between OBA and the EFCC, the later has proven beyond any reasonable doubts the need for OBA's prosecution, based on the evidences so brought before the court .

The EFCC has been able to prove that OBA during the period of purchase and collection of the vehicles, was the state commissioner for finance, and the chairman of the Inter-ministerial and Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

While on the saddle of this committee, he(OBA) paid money into Omokore's company's account (and evidence of the payment was tendered to the court by the EFCC), and subsequently took delivery of the vehicles which he admitted to. These are clear evidences which he has not denied.

Then what is the role of Gov. Udom Emmanuel in his travail? The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria does not give a state governor power to discontinue such case, except the Attorney General of Nigeria who reserves the right to do so. If Gov. Emmanuel had such power, he would have helped him out, especially when political interest did not take OBA to YPP.

Again, does a state governor have the right to interfere in any judicial jurisprudence? Does the governor have any right to decide the sentencing in court, as to the verdict the judge should give? The answer is NO. Then the accusation that Gov. Emmanuel has a hand in the sentencing handed down to OBA is uncalled for, false, baseless and a total waste of time.

A cursory look into the character of Governor Udom Emmanuel clearly shows that he doesn't play politics of bitterness and hatred. The Governor is a man that believes in the rule of law and respects democratic principles. It amounts to gross ignorance and strange to attempt to perceive the governor as a vindictive person, an attempt that has already failed a reality test. Governor Udom Emmanuel will continue to play politics with human face and good conscience, and no amount of deceit peddled around can change this glaring fact.

This is simply an attempt to cause unnecessary infraction in the state and incite the people against the state government and its functionaries.

The case is crystal clear and does not have any political colouration as the facts of the matter were kept bare before the court, and appropriate verdict given in line with the law.

If the YPP are not satisfied with the judgment, there are legal means to seek redress and not to start instigating members of the public against the governor using interpersonal deceptive theory. This is condemnable and would not be tolerated.

The law is a respecter of no man, and whoever offends the law should be ready to face the consequences, or make use of the available avenues known to law to seek redress.

As the doors of the federal high court in Uyo are thrown open today, one of the decisions that everyone will await is that of the case brought against Senator Bassey Albert(OBA) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. There is therefore a need to undertake a retrospective journey to see the start point and the mileage covered by this trip.

Origin of the case

In May 10, 2010, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan(then the Commissioner for Finance Akwa Ibom State) is alleged to have received from Jide Omokore , a BMW X5 (Bulletproof) worth N50 million; in December 2012 another Infinity QX 56(bulletproof) worth N45 million was also received from the same source.
Again, in November 2013, he received a Toyota Landcruiser V8( bulletproof) valued at N40 million and in March 2014, he received a Range Rover, valued at N40 million; in September 2014, another Toyota Hiace High Roof bus valued at N27 million was received from the businessman. Additionally, he is alleged to have received at different times between 2012-2014,Toyota Hiace High Roof buses valued at N16 million and six units of Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N36 million.

The EFCC which was investigating money used for the 2015 elections, spotlighted Jide Omokore, who was suspected as a conduit through which illegal funds were used for elections. While interrogating the businessman, he mentioned his numerous transactions with Obong Bassey Albert, who by this time had become a Senator.

ARREST

Bassey Albert was invited severally to answer questions on his role in the transactions, but he refused to honour any of the invitations and was declared wanted by the anti grafts agency. He was arrested on May 15, 2018 and subsequently charged before an Ikeja High Court for contravening Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act, on August 20, 2018.

HOW THE CASE CAME TO FEDERAL HIGH COURT, UYO

While the case was ongoing at Ikeja, Obong Bassey Albert, through his lawyers, filed a preliminary objection to the jurisdiction of the court. They prayed the court as follows, “There is nothing in the proof of evidence that suggested that any aspect of the alleged crime against the first defendant was committed outside Akwa-Ibom State and in Lagos State.
“So we want to ask where the cars were delivered to so we can know what Lagos has to do with Akwa-Ibom State but we have provided the answers in our argument, the cars were delivered in Akwa-Ibom State.If he (Bassey) received in Akwa-Ibom State, how come they are coming to try him in Lagos State.The prosecution have not shown how the first defendant came to Lagos to receive vehicles. They have not shown it anywhere in the proof of evidence.” The Court agreed with Bassey’s Counsel and held that it lacked jurisdiction to hear and entertain the matter, since the alleged commission of the offense was committed outside its jurisdiction.

The EFCC on June 24, 2019 arraigned Sen. Bassey Albert at the Federal High Court, Uyo and the case has been on since then despite several chronic delays by Sen. Albert’s team. There are days when their lawyers will come to court to inform the court that their lead counsel had travelled abroad for treatment and took the case file along, plus other very laughable excuses.

OBONG BASSEY ALBERT’S CONFESSION

It is interesting to note that Sen. Albert has admitted directly and through his witnesses, that he received from Mr. Omokore, all the cars listed in the charge sheet. For example, Sen. Albert called Kubiat Etang and Kennedy Ekong as witnesses and they admitted under cross examination, that as members of the defendant’s campaign team, they each received buses for campaign purposes. However, they were unable to disclose the particulars of the vehicles and also did not state whether they personally took possession of the vehicles.

Both the prosecution and defence having closed their case and judgement due, the story surrounding the case now seems to take a political dimension, with allegations and counter allegations that the Governor is influencing the case to secure a conviction against Sen. Bassey Albert, in order to truncate his gubernatorial political ambition. This allegation has been vehemently denied by the Governor personally and through his aides. The Governor insists that he has neither testified or authorized anybody to testify in the case; nor tendered any document from government. All the documents used against the Senator were obtained from his business partners. Those supporting the Governor queried that if the case had been decided in Lagos, whether the Senator would have accused Governor Sanwo-Olu of witch-hunt. The Senator and his supporters insist that the Governor has influenced the case, so as to put the Senator behind bars and clear the path for the candidate of his party and his anointed successor, Pastor Umo Eno.

From the labyrinth of evidence traced from the origin to the current status of the case, there is little or no credible link joining Governor Udom Emmanuel to this case, in any way. It is left for for the court to deliver its judgement based on the evidence before her and the extant laws.

Powered by International Financial Infringement Monitoring Network (IfImN)

We wish to alert the security agents in Akwa Ibom State and indeed the general public that we have uncovered a plot by certain hoodlums, working for a senator and Governorship candidate of a new generation political party in the State to foment crises and cause a breakdown of law and order.

This devilish plot is instigated on the impending catastrophic failure of the candidate who has been wobbling from one legal imbroglio to another since his misadventure and ignoble role in fleecing the treasuries of the state as Commissioner for Finance. The impending doom has obviously led the EFCC candidate and his supporters into pressing the panic button, and blaming others for their self inflicted woes.

On Thursday July 14, 2022, the embattled Senator of Akwa Ibom North East(Uyo) Senatorial District, Bassey Albert Akpan accompanied by his counsel Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN, appeared before Justice Agatha Okeke in the Federal High Court to defend himself of the corruption cross on his neck. EFCC lawyer, E. E. Iheanacho cross examined Bassey Albert and on oath, the senator made the following startling revelations:

1. OBA admitted he received six vehicles from a contractor, Olajide Omokore in December 2012 while he was commissioner for Finance and Chairman of InterMinisterial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee in the State.
2. He confessed that the cars include; Infinity QX 56 BP, valued at the sum of N45million; Toyota Land Cruiser V8 B, valued at the sum of N40million; Range Rover, valued at the sum of N40million; Toyota Hiace high-roof, valued at the sum of N27million, another Toyota Hiace high-roof valued at the sum of N16million and Toyota Hilux 4X4 valued at the sum of N36million.
3. Bassey Albert told the court that even as the chief finance officer of the State, he never knew that Omokore’s companies received multibillion naira contracts from the Akwa Ibom State government shortly after bribing him with those car gifts.
4. Bassey also agreed that the Interministerial Direct Labour Committee he chaired, made payments to Omokore’s companies during the period in question.
5. As part of his defense, the accused person told the court he has been a good friend of Omokore for nine years, even before he became a commissioner in 2007.
6. He, however, denied knowing Omokore’s companies, and also denied being involved in the award of contracts to any of those companies in November 2013 before he left office as the Commissioner for Finance in April 2014.
7. In his brilliance, Senator Albert claimed he didn’t know that the cars he collected from Omokore were luxury cars, but agreed that they were bullet-proof cars.

It must be stated that Omokore was also investigated for corruptly being involved in the fleecing of slush funds from a former minister of petroleum, and EFCC in their charge hold that Bassey Albert reasonably ought to have known that the said vehicles formed part of proceeds of unlawful activity (to wit: corruption) and that he thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act".

The man who wants to control the treasury of Akwa Ibom State, has limited control over his appetite for bribe and fraud that is why we must say NO to #OBAofBribe


©️AKWA IBOM INTEGRITY ALLIANCE

- Richard Peters

This remarks is necessitated by the current trend of insinuations cooked up by Senator Bassey Albert and his club of political gladiators against the person and personality of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel as well as his choice successor Pst. Umo Eno, in the build-up to 2023. It is understandable that political communication could go comatose at the peak of elections, where circulation of fake news and prevalence of hate speech become vast especially on social platforms. But caution must be applied to avoid dancing to the gallery. When falsehood about public office holders is wantonly spread without recourse to decorum, what follows is usually an incitement against them, leading to disrespect and a subsequent breakdown of law and order.



The recent allegation indicting Governor Udom Emmanuel in a supposed embezzlement sham is both ridiculous and defamatory. One would wonder why Bassey Albert would choose to condescend to defamation as a tool for his campaigns. Ordinarily, this would have been swept under the carpet but for the erasure of doubt and misconception about the present administration, it is imperative to set these salient facts in perspective.



It would be recalled that Governor Udom Emmanuel had at the outset of his administration in 2015 saw the need to take the state out of its hitherto mono-economy into a multifaceted one. This is evident in the construction of industries, placement of infrastructures in requisite locations and the sustained efforts to keep them afloat till date. This, among others, was one of his campaign promises to be achieved with statutory layers of resources and connections he has built in his many years of economy development.



For one to effectively deliver on set goals and vision, a great deal of creative skills, ideas and productive approaches are required. As such, Governor Emmanuel from the time he sought the mandate of the people has demonstrated visionary leadership, superb coordination and a laudable drive for excellence.



We have seen with sufficient details and facts within our disposal the achievements so far recorded by this administration and can clearly attest that Governor Udom Emmanuel has in all honesty judiciously utilised the resources accrued to the State. This was copiously mentioned by the United States Consul General in Nigeria, Mr. Will Stevens, during his visit to Akwa Ibom State on recently. He had graciously commended the State Government’s efforts in fiscal transparency, public accountability and healthcare delivery.

Like we know, State allocations vary by different indices. One cannot therefore claim to have done better with their allocations than others.

While Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State may not be blamed for blowing his trumpet, his remarks on a certain amount of money received from the Federal Government shouldn't be a thing of debate, as the specific day, month and year of the received sum was not mentioned. One could then see that the said money was not given recently.

Having carefully followed the achievements of this government, we cannot in good conscience keep mute and allow Bassey Albert and his supporters use the statement from Governor Wike to hurl insults and abuses on Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.

We have 36 states in Nigeria and each of these states have peculiar challenges, warranting cardinal promises made by their leaders. The question then should be: "has Governor Udom Emmanuel not fulfilled his promises to the people of the State? Is Governor Wike's building of Flyovers to tackle the challenges of his people not equal to Governor Udom Emmanuel's focus on Infrastructure, Industries, health, security etc which has equally tackled our peculiar challenges?

Daily, the State Government has been giving updates and reports on projects executed. The Governor publishes the statement of account periodically in line with World Bank's State fiscal Transparency, accountability and sustainability program which the State adopted.

We have it on record that a total of 220 internal roads have been constructed in this state by this present administration. Out of the 220 roads, 114 have been completed and commissioned. We have about 5,000 projects in our schools, hospitals have been reconstructed across the federal constituencies, to mention but a few. Do these projects run on water or blood?

The present government upon assumption of office in 2015 paid the backlog of pensions and gratuity owed civil servants. How come no one is talking about that? On IBB lies the multi-billion naira flood control project massively planted by government to control erosion and flooding. Who knows what the fate of communities around the axis would have been without the world bank partnership project? Yet, we see this as a mean feat?

We've seen massive improvement in security, judging from previous stories. The support the Governor has given to security operatives to help them tackle criminalities has fostered peace and stability of businesses.

In the area of education, Governor Emmanuel has not only sustained the free and compulsory education scheme in the State. He ensures the prompt payment of WAEC fees as well as other interventions to better the education sector.

Even more, the good road networks we now enjoy is both an achievement to us all and a relief from traffic congestions, you can now connect to any part of the state within 30 minutes as a result of this visionary initiative of a master-planner.

Governor Emmanuel has drawn number of industries and FDI attracted to Akwa Ibom State by this administration, thus, employing thousands and catering for families indirectly.

But one thing is sure that light will always overpower darkness as the people will always see where the governor is channelling the resources to.

Emphasis should be placed on the fact that Akwa Ibom, until now, was a Civil Service state. To change that narrative, our developmental narrative and blueprint cannot toe the same line with that of other States. The Government has been investing heavily to open up the major gateways to industrial renaissance (through Land, Air and Sea). That is what this current administration has focused on, and no state of the Federation has achieved same feat.

Again, the aviation sector has not been left out as Governor Emmanuel has successfully run a sector that even the Nigerian Government is struggling to keep her head afloat. Ibom Air has become the pride of the Nigerian sky, a testimony given by both Nigerians and foreigners who visited the state.
Just last weekend, Ibom Air has taken delivery of two Airbus A320 aircrafts, which has increased the giant birds in the state to nine.

The New Terminal Building, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility (MRO), and Taxi Way, constructed at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo is of international standard .
The MRO, has the capacity of carrying two 747 aircraft series, eight A-220 300 series and all the CRJs, and will absorb over 100 youths into its payroll, in addition to the foreign investment that the project will attract.

The dividends will continue to come only and “when all the dots are properly and consciously connected together”. That will mark our prosperity as a State, and will climax the COMPLETION AGENDA.

Court Jails Oil Thief in Port Harcourt

A prosecution witness Kakwagh Ngunan, in the ongoing money laundering trial of Senator Bassey Albert by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday October 19, 2020 narrated how the senator, as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom state, received vehicles as gift from Olajide Omokore whose companies executed over N3billion contracts for the Akwa Ibom State government.
The EFCC is currently prosecuting Senator Albert before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for his alleged involvement in offences bordering on money laundering and being in possession of six vehicles worth N204 million, at the instance of one Olajide Omokore, whose companies allegedly executed contracts for the Akwa Ibom State government.
While being led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, M. S. Abubakar, Kakwagh, an operative of the EFCC, told the court that her team traced about N3billion payments from the Akwa Ibom State government and the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, IMDLCC, to the accounts of Canwod Dredging Company Limited, Bay Atlantic Limited, Sahel Engineering, Power Nigeria Limited and Network Services Nigeria Limited - all linked to Jide Omokore.
She said her team, “requested for statements of accounts from Stanbic IBTC bank and Access bank regarding these companies, and as soon as the banks obliged us the statements, we invited the alter ego of the company, one Olajide Omokore to come and explain why those companies received so much money from Akwa Ibom State government and the IMDLCC".
According to the witness, when Omokore responded to the invite, he informed the investigation team that the payments were for contracts executed for the Akwa Ibom State government.
The witness further told the court that several documents were recovered when a search warrant was executed at the office and residence of Omokore. The documents included; contract papers from the Akwa Ibom State government to Network Services Nigeria Limited for the supplies of bullet proof vehicles and invoices from Skymit Limited in the name of Bassey Albert and Olajide Omokore, as well as delivery notes for the vehicles in the name of Senator Albert.
"My team further traced monies from Omokore's company account to the account of Skymit Limited, and when we invited Skymit to tell us the reasons for the money, we were told that it was for the purchase of vehicles. So, my investigation revealed that the accused, while he was the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee IMDLCC, Omokore and his companies received monies from the Akwa Ibom State government and the IMDLCC. Also, that Omokore bought cars from Skymit Limited for the accused", the witness said.
The witness also added that in the course of her investigation, her team wrote a letter to the Chairman of the IMDLCC, requesting for the details of all contractors and projects carried out by the Committee but did not receive any response..
The prosecution tendered all the documents which included: a search warrant; a petition from one Leo Ekpenyong dated June 8, 2015, and addressed to the Executive Chairman of EFCC; and four statements made by the accused dated August 11, 2015, September 10, 2015, May 14, 2018 and May 17, 2018.
Others are Letters from Skymit Nigeria Limited addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC, with attached invoices and delivery notes of vehicles; copies of Skymit Limited Skye bank statement of account; statement of accounts of all the above mentioned companies from Stanbic IBTC, Access bank and Skye bank and a copy of request letter from EFCC to IMDLCC.
The court admitted the documents in evidence and marked them as exhibits P2 to P11.
The prosecution thereafter asked the witness to tell the court about exhibit P6. "On page 3 is the Skymit Limited invoice in the name of Albert Bassey/ Jide Omokore for six Toyota Hilux 4X4 for N36million. On pages 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are all delivery notes and waybill from Skymit Limited for Toyota Hilux 4X4 to Albert Bassey” the witness said.

Secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state have received a facelift following the remodeling and equipping of science laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in over seventeen schools by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The seventeen schools which cut across the three senatorial districts in the state are beneficiaries of modern science laboratory equipment for their Biology, Chemistry and Physics laboratories which is set to provide the students with practical knowledge of the subjects.

The consultant in charge of the project and CEO of Pinnacle Northstars Associate Limited, Mr Aniekan Tim Umoette, who took journalists on an inspection tour of the newly furnished science laboratories, explained that the sorry state of science laboratories in secondary schools in the state moved the Governor to awarded a contract for the refurbishing and equipping of the science laboratories.

“When I came into Nigeria, I met the Governor and he specifically instructed me to go to find out the different schools that are lagging behind especially in science subjects and after I did, he awarded a contract to my company which refurbished the labs with state-of-the-art facilities. We have also delivered the equipment to the seventeen schools”.

Teachers and students of the various benefiting institutions appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for investing in the education of students in secondary schools by refurbishing and equipping the science laboratories for their practical classes.

They recounted their inability to conduct practicals due to a lack of conducive and well-equipped laboratories prior to the remodeling and stated that most times, they resorted to alternatives to practicals.

The Principal of Secondary Commercial School, Iwawa Usung Eket in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, Mr. Anietie Edet Ubiong, was certain the newly-furnished science laboratories presented by the state government would bolster the teaching of science and was optimistic the school would produce medical and engineering professionals in the future.

“I have received the science equipment sent to the school by the Akwa Ibom state government. Today, the students are using the science equipment and this will help them get acquainted with the subject as they carry out their practicals daily.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel is a promise-keeping governor. He has not only built the lab, but equipped it to the standard we would be proud of. This gesture is a reaffirmation of the high premium the government has placed on the educational sector in this state.”

For Mrs. Ekaette Matthew Inyangetor, the Chemistry teacher at Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Akpan Ishiet in Onna local government area, teaching the subject was a difficult task as the practical aspect of the subject could not be conducted due to the unavailability of a standard laboratory.

She was however optimistic that the students would be afforded the opportunity to conduct their practicals with the new Chemistry laboratory.

“Teaching Chemistry at this school was difficult because it is a practical science, not just theory so it was not easy to make the students understand what I was teaching without showing them the practical aspect of it.

“I want to say that I am very grateful, I thank Governor Udom Emmanuel for this gesture done in our school. When the equipment were brought here, the students and the students were so happy and the whole community heard about it. I am happy and I’m ready to teach them using the apparatus given to our school.”

A student of St. Mary Science College, Ediene Abak in Abak local government area, Iboro Mandi Udom, was elated to have his practical classes at the newly-furnished Chemistry laboratory given to them by the state government.

“Our new Chemistry laboratory was just done by the state government and here in St. Mary’s, science subjects are taken seriously and with these equipment, our practicals are conducted regularly. The government has done well in providing all the laboratory instruments and equipment needed for our studies. I say a very big thank you to the Akwa Ibom government for the provision of the facilities and equipment in our school.”

Some of the schools that benefitted from the benevolence of the project include: Onna People’s High School, Abat, Onna LGA, Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Akpan Ishiet, Onna, Etinan Institute, Etinan LGA, St. Mary’s Science college, Ediene Abak, Abak LGA, Secondary Commercial School, Iwawa Usung Eket, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Community Secondary School, Oruk Anam LGA, Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Uso, Eket LGA, Methodist Senior Science College, Oron LGA.

On February 7th, 2022, Senator Bassey Albert presented two witnesses before Justice Agatha Okeke at the Federal High Court in Uyo to prove his innocence in the bribery and money laundering case against him by EFCC.

The witnesses, Pastor Kubiat Etang and Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ekong, who were cross examined by EFCC prosecuting counsel, Attah Ocholi, said exactly the opposite of the what their principal hired them to say.

The witnesses, under cross examination, claimed they were members of Bassey Albert’s campaign team in 2015 and that they each received the alleged bribery vehicles for campaign purposes of their principal. However, they were unable to disclose the particulars of the vehicles and also did not know the nature of the transaction between the embattled Senator and Jide Omokore. They also said they were not privy to the procurement of the vehicles and could not ascertain where the vehicles where taken to by OBA. They refused to accept that they were in custody of the contentious vehicles, despite the appeal by their principal.

What this means is that OBA of Bribe’s men ended up defending themselves and implicating their principal.

If his own bone men, could understand that it is better to say NO to the #OBAofBribe, who are we to say yes?

A renowned Socio Political Association in Akwa Ibom state Liberated People for Transparency and good Representation has demanded immediate sanctions from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the Young Progressive Party governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom state Senator Bassey Albert Akpan over uncomplimentary and alleged inciting remarks against Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP Guber candidate Pastor Umo Eno during his ongoing campaigns.

The group in a press statement endorsed by Comrade Enefiok UmohPresident, Mr Edet Afia Keke, Secretary and made a available to Journalists yesterday in Uyo condemn in strong terms the consistent attacks on Gov. Udom Emmanuel and the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pst. Umo Eno, while urging the Senator to play by the rules of the game, by embark on issue -based campaigns rather than insinuations and blackmail.

According to them,"it must be stated clearly that Senator Akpan is making such provocative comments at campaign grounds because he is aware of the peaceful disposition of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

"The governor will never stoop so low to tow his path, even as he ignored the war chants and inciting statements capable of fanning the embers of war by certain individuals during the build up to the 2019 general election.

The group highlighted that Senator Akpan is trying to use the governor's peaceful disposition to the extreme. " We therefore do not want to tow his path by taking laws into our hands, hence our call on INEC and in line with the electoral act to sanction Bassey Albert".

"This will serve as a deterrent to others who may want to tow his path.

"We also call on Political candidates to respect the Electoral Act 2022 and ensure that the peace enjoyed in our dear state, courtesy of the Udom Emmanuel administration is sustained.

"According to Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2022 under Prohibition of certain conduct at political campaigns, a political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.

Again, abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or insinuations or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.

Where this is done, the act states that a political party, aspirant or candidate that contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction."

"We will use all legal means to go after any candidate that will use derogatory terms against another candidate or make comments capable of inciting the people against the state or its functionaries at campaign grounds".


The group noted that Governor Udom Emmanuel has sacrificed so much to ensure that peace is sustained in the state for harmonious living, progress and development, and will not fold thier hands and watch one man incite the people to go back to "Egypt" through unguided utterances during campaigns.


Our Correspondent gathered that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan during his campaign tour to ward 1,2,6,7 and East Itam 1,2,3 in Itu Local Government Area of the state said he was offered sumptuous amount of money by Gov. Udom Emmanuel as bribe to step down for the PDP candidate Pst. Umo Eno, and return to the Senate, hence his exit from the party.

The group regretted that the Senator failed to state when and where the offer was made, names of witnesses to such deal, a signed cheque, or recording of the meeting,or any other proof to support his claims, making it baseless and mere insinuation.