A simple gesture of Pastor Umo Eno, Governorship Candidate People's Democratic Party, PDP standing to greet candidates of other parties at the signing of the Peace Accord meeting has been given different coloration by those who will stop at nothing to dice and slice us as a people. They even forget that even before Governorship, Pastor Umo Eno has always demonstrated humility.

That politics has polarised and balkanize Akwa Ibom State is an understatement. Most Politicians have driven the state along ethnic sentiments and drummed the message of marginalisation or lack of effective zoning of political offices.

The 2023 Election has not been spared in this ugly incident. Again another menacing factor in Akwa Ibom State has been the spirit of entitlement. Where some hold that certain rights and privileges is their exclusive preserve. They confer on themselves the right of first refusal for political appointments and offices. Should there be a change , they threaten fire and brimstone.

Conventional politicians have continued to stoke this Amber of hate and have benefited greatly from the spoils of the "war". For them since the "dysfunctional Akwa Ibom State " has brought them gains and instant wealth, the plight of the impoverished masses is of no concern to them.

Umo Eno offers a sharp departure from the convention. Umo Eno who cannot pass for a system man but a beneficiary of God's benevolence will press the reset button of Akwa Ibom State.

Umo Eno will not inherit enemies. His disposition to a united Akwa Ibom speaks volume. He desires an Akwa Ibom where everyone can seat on the table of brotherhood and create a path towards the prosperity of all.

Umo Eno will not play the ethnic card of divisive politics. In his words; "What are all these rancour among brothers in the name of politics? I just want to seat in the office as governor and press the reset button, bring everyone to the table, to create the Akwa Ibom of our dream".

Iniobong Etuk, a Journalist writes from Uyo.

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”.

By Mfonobong Ukpong

#UmoEno4All
#AriseAgenda

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."

…APEX COURT FINES OKON N5M

The appeal by Mr Akan Ekpe Okon against the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Akan Okon had challenged the eligibility of Pastor Eno to stand election as the Candidate of the PDP, and appealed that the court should rather declare him as candidate, claiming he came second with 3 votes at the primaries.

Okon approached the Supreme Court in Appeal Number SC/CV/172/2023, having lost previously at both the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court.

The Supreme Court in its judgement held that Pastor Umo Eno who was duly nominated by his Party, PDP on May 25, 2022, was eminently qualified for the elections.

It also decided that Akan Okon pays the fine of 5m naira earlier directed by the appellate court.

Having trashed out all attempts by House of Representatives Member Michael Enyong to halt proceedings, the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja will today deliver judgment in an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against the judgement made in favour of Mr Enyong in a lower court.

With Judgement pending on the appeal by the PDP, Mike Enyong had earlier scampered to the Appeal Court and in Appeal Number CA/Abj/PRE/ROA/CU/134/2023, urged the court the stay proceedings on the appeal filed by the PDP.

When the appeal came up for hearing on Monday, the appeal court frowned at the Mr Enyong’s obvious abuse of court processes, describing his appeal as frivolous.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had delivered judgement on January 20, 2023 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1295/2022 in favour of Michael Enyong.

In a swift reaction, PDP went to the Appeal Court to insist that Pastor Umo Eno remains its validly nominated candidate and his nomination had also been validated by the same Appeal Court late last year.

The PDP had argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate upon Mr Michael Enyong’s suit which is against Section 285(9) of the Constitution of the country, having been filed out of time and with the party not served.

Represented by Paul Usoro, SAN, Barr Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN and others, the PDP also reasoned that the Appellant was not served with the 1st Respondent's Originating Summons and Hearing Notices for the Lower Court's proceedings, and that the Lower Court had no jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate upon the 1st Respondent's Suit.

Mr Enyong in his suit had told the lower court that the use of elected ad-hoc delegates was declared illegal by the status quo ante bellum order of the trial court that was made on 18 May 2022 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/606/2022 in consequence.

He also claimed that he used only statutory delegates for the governorship primary that allegedly produced him.

But PDP appealed against the decision of the Lower Court to the effect “that the Plaintiff has successfully proved his case on the preponderance of evidence” and validated the purported illegality of using ad-hoc delegates for the primaries that produced Pastor Umo Eno as the Candidate of the party.

The PDP told the court that the decision at the lower court was reached ‘per incuriam’ given the earlier decisions of the appeal court, that validated the Appellant's Akwa Ibom State primaries that were conducted with the use of ad-hoc delegates only and to the exclusion of statutory delegates.

The party also maintained that the gubernatorial primary from which Pastor Umo Eno emerged as the Appellant's governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom States was conducted on 25 May 2022;and the “Lower Court was bereft of jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate over the 1st Respondent's Suit,the Suit being statute-barred at the time it was commenced.”

This, according to the Party, makes the judgment of the Lower Court consequently a nullity and as such ought to be set aside by the appellate court.

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.

I laughed yesterday when some people celebrated on the social media that Pst. Umo Eno's name is replaced with that of Babantan as the authentic governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom state. I laughed because it was so premature to conclude. It was not necessary.

A good student of history should understand that what is currently happening in the state is a bout between darkness and light; falsehood and truth; unrighteousness and righteousness. As it stands, there has never been a time when darkness prevailed over light. Light must always comprehend darkness, and that is what will happen.

A cursory look at the list of all the governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom state shows that a greater percentage have ulterior motives and dubious intentions for the state. Some, not all, want the governorship position by all means as an escape route from prosecution and incarceration. Bassey Albert falls into this category. He is after the resources of the state, after amassing wealth for himself as a finance commissioner for 7 years, and as a senator for 8 years. If he has anything to offer, 15 solid years in government would have been enough to impact as much lives as possible. But greed won't allow him rest.

Also, Akan Udofia through the instrumentality of Godswill Akpabio went to court to secure midnight judgement, as the authentic governorship candidate of the APC. Everyone knows Akpabio's pattern of politicking. He is simply attempting to return as a de facto governor. It is glaringly clear that Akan Udofia does not know anything about governance. Akpabio is the one speaking on his behalf, as Udofia is only acting as a political robot, waiting for Akpabio's command at every point in time. It would be very risky to hand over the destiny of over 7 million inhabitants of the state to someone who does not understand the nitty gritty of governance.

On the other hand, James Udoedeghe, although not so popular again, is a household name when it comes to governorship contest in the state. But everyone knows that he is a political business man. All he wants is compensation and reward. He does not care much about his supporters. In 2011, it could be recalled that he led many youths to their early graves as a result of his ambition. What was he really looking for? He wanted to buy the Oku Iboku paper mill, but his greedy move was blocked by Godswill Akpabio. So Udoedeghe decided to fight back, by using the blood of the innocent youths who lost their lives while struggling to fight for him. Did Udoedeghe do anything for the families of these youths? The answer is capital NO. He is fond of using and dumping people. That is his stock in trade.

However, Akpabio still compensated him, as he negotiated with Akpabio to constructed the road(Afaha Offot) leading to his house. The blood of the people was exchanged with a road construction contract that was not up to a kilometer. What a waste of destiny.

Today, he is out again to mislead the people. He is planning to use the office of the governor to buy government properties, including the paper mill using a third party. He would use such position to enrich himself. God forbid.

Another unworthy servant is Babantan who came up with his own fraudulent sense to become the governor of Akwa Ibom state. This is laughable. Beyond the eye of the law, in natural sense, Babantan did not participate in the governorship primary of the PDP. Rather, he hired people to act as INEC officials and party delegates/agents, and conducted what he termed as governorship primary in his house. This has never happened before.

He then forged signatures of INEC officials and party officers, and misled the court to declare him the authentic governorship candidate of the PDP. Although, the case is still in court, it is worth noting that such a dubious fellow at the helm of affairs of the state would spell doom for the over 7 million people living in the state.

It is quite funny that people are clapping him, calling it a smart move. It's not. It is simply a fraudulently nonsensical exercise that will land him in jail. There is no sense at all in what he is doing. It is not even logical. There is a proverb that says when God wants to punish a rich man, He gives him the job of taking care of cows. Babantan's cup will soon be full, and the end of this drama will come.

If the judgment he surreptitiously gotten from the court stands(God forbid), a very bad precedence would be set. Anybody can wake up and approach the court, present forged documents and get what he wants. It is not healthy for posterity. This error must be corrected for the sake of generation unborn.

It is quite embarrassing that this fraud is done by one who claims to be a federal lawmaker. What legacy is he leaving for his constituents?

What is happening now is that these dubious fellows who feel that the Hill Top mansion should be their retirement benefit are ganging up against the only man that has good intentions for Akwa Ibom people.

But with the support of the people, and in the spirit justice and fairness, Pst. Umo Eno will be sworn in as Governor of Akwa Ibom state come May 29. I am 100 per cent sure of this truth.

This will give him the opportunity to advance his plans for the people of Akwa Ibom state. Farmers in the state will be empowered to ensure that there is food sufficiency in the state. Pst. Umo Eno's dream for rural development will be achieved, and his agenda for the youths and women will be actualized.

His all-inclusive Arise Agenda will see the light of the day. The infrastructural development and maintenance enshrined in the economic blueprint of Pst Umo Eno will manifest, and those who are scared that he will do too much won't have where to hide.

Let it be made known that darkness will not comprehend the light in Akwa Ibom. No matter the gang up which did not start today, Pst. Umo Eno will prevail. The enemy will scatter for the sake of Pst. Umo Eno, and Akwa Ibom state will continue to excel in all ramifications.

Finally, Akwa Ibom state is safe in Pst. Umo Eno's hand, and since this is the will of the people of Akwa Ibom state, it shall come to pass. Nothing will stop it, not even the court.

By: Richard Peters

Judgement has been reserved to a later date in an appealed filed by the Peoples Democratic Party challenging the judgement of a lower court, declaring Mr Michael Enyong, candidate of the Party in the 2023 Governorship Elections.

The appeal is against the Judgment of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court delivered on January 20, 2023 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1295/2022.

The PDP told the Appeal Court that Pastor Umo Eno remains its validly nominated candidate and his nomination had also been validated by the same Appeal Court last year.

The PDP had argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate upon the Mr Michael Enyong’s suit which is against Section 285(9) of the Constitution of the country.

Represented by Paul Usoro, SAN, Barr Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN and others, the PDP also reasoned that the Appellant was not served with the 1st Respondent's Originating Summons and Hearing Notices for the Lower Court's proceedings, and that the Lower Court had no jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate upon the 1st Respondent's Suit.

Mr Enyong in his suit had told the lower court that the use of elected ad-hoc delegates was declared illegal by the status quo ante bellum order of the trial court that was made on 18 May 2022 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/606/2022 in consequence.

He also claimed that he used only statutory delegates for the governorship primary that allegedly produced him.

But PDP appealed against the decision of the Lower Court to the effect “that the Plaintiff has successfully proved his case on the preponderance of evidence” and validated the purported illegality of using ad-hoc delegates for the primaries that produced Pastor Umo Eno as the Candidate of the party.

The PDP told the court that the decision at the lower court was reached ‘per incuriam’ given the earlier decisions of the appeal court, that validated the Appellant's Akwa Ibom State primaries that were conducted with the use of ad-hoc delegates only and to the exclusion of statutory delegates.

The party also maintained that the gubernatorial primary from which Pastor Umo Eno emerged as the Appellant's governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom States was conducted on 25 May 2022;and the “Lower Court was bereft of jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate over the 1st Respondent's Suit,the Suit being statute-barred at the time it was commenced.”

This, according to the Party, makes the judgment of the Lower Court consequently a nullity and as such ought to be set aside by the appellate court.

The court subsequently adjourned to a later date after also taking preliminary objections from the defendant.

…APPEAL COURT COMMENCES HEARING NEXT WEEK, FED HIGH COURT ADJOURNS TILL MARCH 15

The Peoples Democratic Party has formally disowned the governorship claims by a federal House of Representatives Member, Mr Michael Enyong, insisting that Pastor Umo Eno remains its candidate for the 2023 Governorship elections in Akwa Ibom State.

This is the basis of an Appeal filed by the Party at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging the judgement of a lower court in favour of Mr Michael Enyong’s claims.

The PDP has also filed a Stay of Execution notice at the Appeal Court, following the determination of the substantive appeal filed.

Hearing on the appeal is expected to commence next week.

Following the pending appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a federal high court in Abuja has adjourned hearing on the applications by the Governorship Candidate of the Party, Pastor Umo Eno.

Pastor Umo Eno was applying be joined in the suit as an interested party, and was also praying that the court grants stay of execution in the judgement given two weeks ago.

However the Presiding Judge, Justice Obiora Egwatu upheld the arguments of Mr Enyong that since the PDP has already made an appeal at the appellate court on the same matter, it was necessary for the High Court to adjourn till March 15, when the matter would have been concluded at the Appeal Court.

Defeated governorship aspirant of the party, Michael Enyong had gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja to obtain a judgement after alleging that he was the authentic winner of the PDP primaries which he personally conducted in his compound.

The pending applications for stay of execution by both the PDP at the Appeal Court and the PDP Governorship candidate at the lower court, means that Pastor Umo Eno remains the candidate of the PDP for the Akwa Ibom State Governorship race.

A federal high court in Abuja has adjourned till Friday, February 10 for mention, in a suit filed by Pastor Umo Eno, Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP seeking to be joined in an earlier suit that was ruled in favour of Michael Enyong by the Court

This follows a failed attempt by Mr Michael Enyong to effect a change in the court in which the applications were made by Pastor Eno.

Pastor Eno, through his Counsel is seeking to be joined in the suit filled by Mr Enyong which initially involved the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) as defendants.

Pst. Eno has also applied for an order to set aside that judgment and an order for a stay of execution.

When the case was called before the Justice Obiorah Egwatu presided federal high court in Abuja, Michael Enyong through his counsel, eventually filed his reply on motion, confirming that his earlier application for a change of court, had met brick wall.

It was reasoned that, Enyong was not comfortable with the assignment of the case to Justice Egwatu who had earlier presided over the now famous ‘Status Quo Ante Bellum’ matter against the PDP, INEC, and Pastor Umo Eno and Adhoc delegates by Friday Iwok and co.

Justice Egwatu being very conversant with the case had last year ruled that Eno is the authentic candidate of the PDP and should fly the party’s flag in the 2023 Governorship elections.

Mr Enyong is said to have allegedly obtained judgment in the same case surreptitiously, without the knowledge of the party and the governorship candidate, hence the appeals by the candidate and the party.

Mr Enyong, a member of the Federal House of Representatives had to be served through substituted means, the processes filed by Pastor Umo Eno, after he repeatedly reportedly evaded service.

The motion for stay of execution of the judgment filed on 27th January and all other processes in the suit were eventually served the Plaintiff, Hon. Michael Enyong by substituted means.

This order had followed the persistent evasiveness of Hon. Enyong to be served by the Court.

In granting this order penultimate Tuesday, the Court directed that Mr Enyong be served through pasting the motion on notice on His office at 342 Three Arms Zone, National Assembly Complex(House of Representatives) Federal Capital Territory Abuja or His Residence at No 10 Idris Kutigi Street, Asokoro Federal Capital Territory Abuja with the photograph of the service later tendered in court.

At the sitting of the Court in Abuja on Monday February 6, Mike Enyong through his lawyers argued that Pastor Umo Eno who was not a party to the suit, lacks locus Standi to Appeal the judgment praying the court to dismiss the application.

The Court adjourned till Friday to enable Pastor Umo Eno’s counsel respond to reply on notice and other processes hurriedly filed by Mr Enyong.

The founder/President of Solid Rock Kingdom Church , Apostle John Okoriko has advised Nigerians not to attribute literal issues to Angels of God as every success or failure is caused by human factors.

Speaking at Headstone Tabernacle in Uyo on Sunday during the monthly interactive service on the theme " Can An Angel Be Arrested By Man?" , Okoriko stated that no man can manipulate Angels as they are messengers of God for divine assignments.

Okoriko observed that Nigerians and Africans in particular always attribute their wrongdoings to spirits instead of owning up in any human situation.

He said the present economic crisis experienced in few weeks to general election is caused by greedy politicians who have devised means to custody the newly printed notes at the expense of the poor masses .

He debunked some beliefs in Africa that Angels can be detained by man for any errand adding that human beings were created to take charge of their affairs.

" The poverty that strikes Nigerians to the extent that the nation is classified as poverty headquarters of poverty in the world is because of lack of knowledge.

" What will help Nigeria to overcome poverty include staying away from company of poor people and self determination rather than waiting for automatic miracles"

He challenged Nigerians to unite during election and vote one of the presidential candidates that will change the narratives of the people through productive policies and not waiting to consume democratic dividends

Okoriko who does not believe in existence of Satan or witches and wizard explained that any evil that happens to man is caused by another man not Satan or witches and wizards.

Narrating his experiences , Okoriko disclosed that those who kidnapped him last year was close person not spirit , demon or Satan as people were speculating .

one of the gang members that abducted me last year was a close person he had assisted to live with him in his church premises .

" He stayed in the church premises and plotted my kidnap . I didn't know until police investigated the matter. Nobody can manipulate Angels to do good or bad . They are strictly for God's work without taking instructions from any man .

Okoriko who is an author of a book titled " Every Satan Has A Human Face" said believe in Satan, demon and superstition has drawn Africa backwards in development and urged Nigerians and African continent to change their mindset

" Beware of close persons even those in Aso Rock who claimed to love Nigeria but backstab the nation by sabotaging the economy and bring untold hardship to the people not demons or satan." he said

The PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom state, Pst. Umo Eno, is a man of vision, and his vision to develop the agricultural sector is topnotch. Part of the vision in the Agriculture sector is to establish a College of Agriculture in the state to train people on the modern system of farming and sustain same through series of trainings and researches that would be carried out by the institution. His vision in this regard is such that would outstay him. This vision alone will create employment opportunities to many people because the college would need the services of both academic and non-academic staff. Imagine the thousands of people that would be gainfully employed, in addition to the business boom that would be experienced around such academic environment. More people would migrate to such location, houses would be built and the community would have a new look.

He also has a vision to stimulate the economy of the coastal communities by providing fishing trawlers and fish processing plants.
This will go a long way in helping Akwa Ibom people who are into fish farming to heave a sign of relief, and make more gains in the business.

Before now, because of lack of facilities to preserve their fishes over a certain period, if the sales were not forthcoming, they would close their eyes and give away at any given price, to avoid total loss. But with this plant in place, the fish would now have a longer shelf life. This is what vision can birth.

It is also interesting to note that Pst. Eno's vision captures even the slightest detail of the economy. Areas that no one had ever imagined before are captured in his development agenda for the state.

There is no reason to doubt the genuineness of the vision for a new Akwa Ibom, as well as "a vibrant, inclusive, diversified and highly industrialized economy with life-long opportunities that engender improved social welfare conditions and a more broadly- shared prosperity". As the vision is right, and Pst. Umo Eno's heart is determined, nothing will stop him.

Akwa Ibom people cannot afford to miss such opportunity to add to the number of tertiary institutions in the state. This can become a reality when Pst. Umo Eno is supported by all. Support Pst. Umo Eno, support the People's Democratic Party.

Kufre George
Essien Udim LGA

…IBIBIO, EKID ETHNIC GROUPS KICK AS APC CANDIDATE KEEPS MUM

A group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance, has given the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a 7 day ultimatum to apologize and withdraw his threats l against Governor Udom Emmanuel and by extension, Akwa Ibom people, failing which it would be left with no other option than to institute legal actions against him.

Reacting to a comment by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where he launched attacks on the Governor, Chairman of the group, Barr. Steve Abia while addressing a press conference, Wednesday in Uyo, said the group had waited for over 24 hours for Tinubu to voluntarily retract his threats to the life of the Governor, but having failed to do so, the group had no option but come to the conclusion that the threats were real, premeditated and seriously conceived”.

The group expressed worry that instead of using political rallies as an opportunity to sell his manifestoes, the former Lagos State Governor, and Presidential candidate of the APC would rather resort to the use of threats, blackmail, scandalous, and libelous statements as his campaign tool, a trend it described as unacceptable.

Barr. Abia said his group considers as worrisome, the threat to the life of the Governor by Bola Tinubu.

“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”.

Meanwhile, other groups, organizations, and individual including Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Akwa Ibom State chapter of PDP, Afigh iwaad Ekid, Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners'Forum, DG, Umo Eno Campaign Council, Chief Assam Assam, Spokesperson of the PDP Governorship campaign team, Prince Chris Abasi Eyo and a host of others have risen in condemnation of Tinubu's verbal outburst on the Governor maintaining that he must tender unreserved apology to the Governor and people of Akwa Ibom State.

...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)”.

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 Richard Peters

... As Candidate Vows to be Selfless in Service

In an audacious step aimed at taking their destinies in their own hands, Youths of The African Church have declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno while also affirming that they will mobilize votes for him across the state.

Speaking at their new year solemn assembly in Uyo, the Provincial Youth President, Prince Enobong Oku stated that the youths of the church will continue to be good ambassadors of the African Church, adding that, "In tune with the season which places on us the responsibility of facilitating good governance through our involvement in political activities, I charge all the youths and the church as a whole to join the trend and not sit on the fence.

He stated further "In the previous administration, a member of the African Church was gruesomely murdered in church. It is against this backdrop that we unanimously state that the church does not want to go back to those dark days of politically-motivated killings. Therefore, the youth of The African Church have resolved to support the succession plan of the governor for the peace we are enjoying presently to be sustained.

"The biggest blessing God has given to the church in Akwa Ibom is peace, and we will protect it by all means. On this strength, the youth of the church at the local, diocesan and provincial levels across the state are gathered here today with the charge for all to go and mobilize support for Pastor Umo Eno," he added.

In his message at the assembly, the former Primate of the Church, Most Rev. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia encouraged Christians especially those in politics, not to be discouraged by seeming obstacles and challenges, stressing that for anyone on the right path to fulfill God's purpose, there is bound to be opposition.

He however assured that while many are the afflictions of the righteous, " the Lord delivereth him out of them all; He keepeth all his bones and not one of them is broken."

In his remarks, an obviously elated Pastor Eno assured all present that if elected in the forthcoming election, every local government area will experience tangible government presence within the first six months.

He noted that the calculated attempts at distracting him with frivolous litigations, coupled with the litany of endorsement by Akwa Ibom people has made him even more determined to win the election and serve the state with all his heart and righteous anger.

Describing himself as a selfless leader, Pastor Eno maintained that he loves and believes in Akwa Ibom State hence his decision to invest in the state many years ago, adding that his treasures are in the state and would do everything to protect them.

Pastor Eno who is a seasoned entrepreneur with investment interest in the hospitality and tourism industry, disclosed that he has carried out a needs assessment of all the local government areas in the state and was well equipped to further on the development strides of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration.

According to him, the administration of Governor Emmanuel came with the mantra of industrialization, and has successfully achieved on this agenda, adding that the next administration would focus on rural development and entrepreneurship.

He commended the African Church and other churches for taking the bold step to support peace, righteousness and the ARISE Agenda, affirming that not only will they enjoy dividends of democracy but he would not disappoint the church and Akwa Ibom people as a whole

The governorship hopeful then appealed to Christians across the state to get their PVCs and vote for persons who have capacity, character and compassion and reflect the calibre of leaders they want for the state and country generally.

In attendance were bishops from all the dioceses of The African Church in Akwa Ibom State, and other officers of the church.

Legal fireworks on the libel suit between Udom Emmanuel and Leo Ekpenyong has resumed at the State High Court in Uyo.

Mr Emmanuel had sued Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer, for defamation of character over a publication in which he accused the governor of “buying judgment” from the 2019 National Assembly Election Tribunal.

Mr Ekpenyong alleged among other things that the Governor paid $1.5m to tribunal judges to influence judgement in the 2019 senatorial elections in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

The case which has lingered since 2019, due to tactical delay by the defendant’s lawyer, Barr Inibehe Effiong, who adopted all delay tactics including filing processes that were adjudged as waste or judicial time.

The case previously handled by the State Chief judge Ekaete Obot, had since been transferred to another High Court, presided over by Justice Princess Eme.

A star witness to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Rev'd Richard Peter, is expected to mount the witness box again with evidences to testify in the case.

The court at FULGA Road Uyo, resumes by 9.00am today.

Above heading is the excerpt from the self consolation of one YPP member in my neighborhood who sought to explain to his audience that all the gubernatorial candidates in Akwa Ibom State now have baggage.

A couple of months ago, and following the proscription of Cultism in Akwa Ibom State by His Excellency, Dcn. Udom Emmanuel, effort was unsuccessfully made by some miscreants to show that every politician is a cultist. It was declared at some quarters that everyone in government house was either a cultists or an Occult; and that cultism is a religion by reason of which the constitution of Nigeria protects her citizens' choice to belong.

Because of another erroneous claim that cultists were in the majority in our State and therefore reserved the monopoly of powers over electioneering matters, some people started bragging that it was a matter of time before this "churchy" government will give way and return power to where it belongs - the Underworld.

But as if proscription of cultism was not enough, Udom Emmanuel became the first Governor to dare cultists on the face and say, "I will not support, or hand over the Hilltop Mansion to a Cultist".

In a reaction intended to confirm the wrongly held notion that cultists formed majority in government and in Akwa Ibom State, one of the proponents of politics as a "dirty game" proudly exclaimed, "I AM A CULTIST"..., "CULTISM IS A RELIGION LIKE CHRISTIANITY"...
The occasion of that pronouncement was supposed to be a Color Flying rally cultists to make similar public proclamations and stun Akwa Ibomites with their number, but to the disappointment of the man, others coiled back to their shell, and left him alone to explain to Akwa Ibom State how Buccaneer, Mafia, , Vikings, Pirates Confraternity, etc, can be on equal pedestal with Christianity.

Till date, all efforts at explaining the nexus between the proscribed cult groups and Christianity remain unsuccessful, even after an attempt is made to refurbish an hibernated Christian group called Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly (ACA) and use same to legitimize the Christian-Cultist nexus. As we read, the so called "Cultist for Christ Movement" is still struggling to sell the ideology but with so much difficulties.

All of these efforts are aimed at watering down the fact that cultism is outlawed and totally unacceptable by every well meaning and peace loving members of the society.

*...Not The Only Thief*
As if being a cultist was not enough plaque, on the 1st of December, 2022, the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, confirmed the long held suspicion that the same notorious cultist had other "credentials" that were hitherto not known, at least in the eyes of the common people. OBA was slammed 42 years imprisonment without an option of fine for stealing.
By way of semantics, the word "thievery" was substituted with the word "money laundry"; and as a professional launder which he is, he made frantic efforts to launder his name by alleging that the conviction was procured for him by the sitting governor, Dcn. Udom Emmanuel out of political malice. By the same reasoning, perhaps he was also "procured" to admit that he syphoned Akwa Ibom money to the tune of N3b through his partner in crime, Mr. Omokore, now at large.
To further launder his new nomenclature, he went on to allege that all Akwa Ibom people are thieves, and that even the governor is a thief.
For want of evidence in support of his postulation, he said the 13% derivation fund which the State legislature had variously approved supplementary budgets for, were stolen by the governor. Quite laughable!

*...Not The Only Convict*
The new and trending narrative is that all the gubernatorial candidates in Akwa Ibom State are convicts.
This morning, the social media space arose to a half cooked narration that the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Pst. Umo Bassey Eno, was convicted by an Abuja Chief Magistrate's Court in a nonexisting charge for cheating and dishonesty. They fabricated a document which is neither a valid court process for Criminal or Civil proceedings and in which document they assert that Pst. Umo Eno is ordered to be arrested after a conviction in absentia.
As in their previous narratives, the story line is concocted by a poorly baked artist and readily conveyed by people whose brain capacity have regrettably been compromised by political affiliation.

With all intent and purpose, this notorious candidate carries a mark of dishonor like the biblical Cain, and now sets out to share his baggage with as many people as he can reach by massive mudslinging through his media urchins.

One question begs for answer. "How did one man come to acquire all the paraphernalia of the devil, yet was able to hang on around the corridor of power for so long.

Me: every power that is not of God has an expiry date.

By Eld. Emmanuel Udosen

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.

- Essien Ndueso

...HOW COUNSEL TOLD COURT SENATOR HAS 14 YEARS AILMENT

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.

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.

- Emmanuel Nicholas

Governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party in Akwa Ibom, Senator Bassey Albert who was jailed by the Federal High Court in Uyo for corruption, has been granted bail by a vacation federal high court sitting in Port-Harcourt.

He was granted a post-conviction bail pending appeal, after pleading for mercy to enable him undergo further medical care and treatment.

This newspaper gathered that the convicted Senator had previously organized a football competition with other jail inmates, where he participated in the football match and claimed he was injured.

Findings reveal that the vacation Federal High Court for South/South zone granted him bail, because he appeared at the court room with signs that he was in dire needs of intensive medical care having been undergoing treatment at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

OBA's appeal against the judgement of the federal high court is yet to come up for hearing before the Appeal Court.

A source who confided in this newspaper on condition of anonymity, disclosed that he(Bassey Albert) “is an inmate who got injured while playing football at the correctional facility”.

He is said to have first gone to a private medical facility and when he requested for a medical certificate that he could tender in court, he was referred to the Teaching Hospital, as Federal Courts only honour reports from government owned facilities.
“He has been at the teaching hospital for some days now and that is why those who went to visit him at Ikot Ekpene could not meet him,” a source disclosed.

It would be recalled that the Senator Bassey Albert was convicted on Thursday, December 1, this year, by the Federal High Court in Uyo, presided by Justice Agatha Okeke, having found him guilty of corruption and money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Reacting to this, a legal professional, Emmanuel Udosen, said “the court reserved the right to grant or reject post conviction bails and in any case, if the court exercises her right, nothing new, and nothing worth jubilating, more so in a case where a public officer expected to live above board soils his hands in corrupt practices which negates the code of conduct expected of such a public officer.”

Elder Udosen explained that, “Bassey Albert’s application for post conviction bail was filed at the Vacation Court in Port Harcourt because the Federal High Courts, including Uyo Federal High Court that convicted him are on vacation.”

Udosen maintained that the Vacation Court, being a court of Coordinate Jurisdiction with the Federal High Court, Uyo can be construed as the court of first instance.

“A vacation court is an emergency arrangement put in place to attend to urgent matters which may not wait for the courts to resume from vacation.

OBA's post conviction bail application came up on the 22nd December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, being the vacation court for the Federal High Courts. The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, 28th December for judgement which has since gone the way of the applicant.

On why the case went to a court of coordinate jurisdiction and not an appellate Court , he admitted that the application for post conviction Bail could not be heard in the vacation Court of Appeal as there is no pending appeal before it by Senator Albert Akpan.

“Senator Albert’s appeal has not yet been filed at the Appeal Court because the courts are on vacation”, he added.

I am constraint once again to write on this subject matter which is receiving adequate legal attention, but which, in my humble opinion, requires the education of interested members of the public with intent to reduce or curtail the effect of ignorance on the innocent public.

Many people have been fed with falsehoods which drive their actions, even at their detriments.

Ab initio, the issue of bail owes its origin to Sec.36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states, inter alia, that, "Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proven guilty". It is buttressed by Sec.34(1) and 35(1) of the same constitution which borders on right to dignity of persons and of liberty (freedom of movement) respectively.
The fulcrum of bail is sec.36(5) which birth the popular presumption of "innocence of accused person until proven otherwise".
It follows that once a court of competent jurisdiction has convicted an accused person (rightly or wrongly), the presumption of innocence ceases to avail an accused person who now takes the new nomenclature as a Convict. At this point, Bail fails to be his fundamental right and becomes a matter of absolute discretion of the court, and which discretion the court cannot just exercise without the fulfilment of certain conditions precedence.

At this point also, it is not for the prosecution to show cause why the convict should not be granted bail, but on the convict to show cause why he should be granted bail pending appeal.

This article is further intended to answer the many questions that I have been asked on OBA's chances of bail either at the court of first instance or at the Court to which his Appeal lies.

It is trite that a post conviction bail can be granted by the court of first instance on application by the convict and by the appellate courts up to the Supreme Court by the same application of the Appellant.

One very interesting and outstanding fact about OBA's bail prospect is that his application for post conviction bail is filed at the Vacation Court currently holding in Port Harcourt because the Federal High Courts, including Uyo Federal High Court that convicted him are on vacation. The question of law arising from this is, whether the Vacation Court, being a court of Coordinate Jurisdiction with Uyo can be construed as the court of first instance to which OBA will have the right of first refusal before he can proceed to apply for bail at the Court of Appeal.

In the ordinary business of the courts, a court of first instance refers to the Trial Court simplicita and nothing so pretentious. A vacation court is an emergency arrangement put in place to attend to urgent matters which may not wait for the courts to resume from vacation. It does not assume the position of the court of first instance or trial court even if the Presiding Judge is the same as the Judge of court of first instance; let alone when the two Judges are different and operate as courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

Besides, there is nothing in the present case to suggest urgency to which this post conviction bail application can be based.

As we read this article, OBA's post conviction bail application came up on the 22nd December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, being the vacation court for the Federal High Courts. The matter has been adjourned to Wednesday, 28th December for consideration.

Barring any other ground for objection to the bail, I guess the main contending issue will be whether a vacation court, being a court of coordinate jurisdiction, can assume the powers of the trial court in the instant case and go ahead to grant or refuse the post conviction bail application.

However, refusing the bail application at this level does not foreclose his chances of bail as Sec. 28(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules provide that:
"The Court of Appeal may, if it thinks fit, on the application of an appellant admit the appellant to bail pending the determination of the appeal". But the application for post conviction Bail in the Court of Appeal can be made when there is a pending appeal before it, and not when the appeal is yet to be entered as it stands now.

Until then, one fact remains intact; that fact is that OBA SHALL enjoy his Christmas rice in prison. To his fellow inmates, and maybe to the warders, this is a prayer answered because they know that there is nowhere their colleague and friend will enjoy Christmas delicacies while they watch with reckless abandon.

But at the time of this report, it is not known whether the new benevolent inmate who magnanimously donated foams and medicines some weeks ago has made any budget or set aside some largess for the prison inmates for Christmas. Some inmates were said to have mumbled that God has forcefully brought to them their monies which were stashed away over the years thereby denying them their entitlements as Nigerians in Correctional Centers.

It is certain that OBA's initial showmanship and demonstration of "machomanship" is fast diminishing. Even his preference for the gubernatorial contest of 2023 is gradually giving way to his deep desire to breath an air of freedom. The late visitors to his new place of abode who keenly observe his demeanor in the prison attest to the fact that what is left of his morale is dwindling as he spends more time asking questions about his chances of release than the outcomes of the jamboree which his friends and foes call campaigns in his absence.

By Eld. Emmanuel Udosen

Towards the last days of Godswill Akpabio at Government House, he was often heard making this exclamation at the end of his remarks at events, "Oh Uyo!"

This was a phrase that was very common on his lips, yet no one had an understanding of its meaning until recently when OBA was sentenced to 42 years in prison, and the people of Uyo Senatorial district have lost a seat at the National Assembly.

This is the second misfortune that has befallen the senatorial district at the red chambers. The first time was when John James Akpanudoedehe was suspended at the floor of the Senate over display of rascality during plenary.

He was noted for bullying at the Senate, and when his excesses were no longer tolerated, he was suspended.

When he was appointed Minister of State for FCT, he was also sacked for consistently bullying people and displaying of behaviours common among rascals.

Today, it has happened again, and Uyo Senatorial district seems to be so unlucky. While senators from other senatorial districts are lobbying to drive home dividends of democracy to their people, no one is canvassing for Uyo Senatorial district.

I have now come to realize that Akpabio foresaw what Uyo people will go through, and I have nothing to say than to join him in saying: Oh Uyo!

Source: Richard Peters

...as Ikpa Ikono Clan Youths carpet ex-commissioner over 'backdoor senate endorsement'.

The 2023 senate ambition of Ephraim Inyang-eyen has received a dead knell in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area as the people of the area have come out to openly reject the former Works Commissioner over his 'call to lawlessness ambition', describing the sacked Chief of Staff to the Governor as a 'conscienceless ingrate'.

In a Press Release signed by the National Coordinator of Mkpat Enin Unity Network, Dr Akpabio Akpabio, Chapter Coordinator, Hon. Joe Akpan, General Secretary, Barr. Ebeute Ebeute and Director Public Affairs, Hon. Mbat Udoinyang, the group frowned at Mr Inyang-eyen's desperation for power.

The statement read in parts:

"Ephraim Inyang is insulting Mkpat Enin people and indeed, Akwa Ibom South people by struggling the Senate seat with Mkpat Enin out of his sheer greed and sense of ingratitude. Mkpat Enin is the vote basket of PDP and has for decades, put in so much for the Akwa Ibom Project. We do not deserve this kind of insult from the likes of Ephraim Inyang and his sponsored clowns. Indeed, Ephraim is acting like a conscienceless ingrate, lawless opportunist and power desperado by attacking the well-established Senate zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom South.

It should be noted that the Senate seat in Eket Senatorial District has been zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in particular. Ephraim Inyang-eyen is from Onna Local Government Area in Eket Federal Constituency who had already taken their turns in the Senate. Ephraim Inyang-eyen was in the meetings that the decision was taken that after all the three federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom South had taken their turns in the Senate, the baton should return to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency where it began.

According to the Release, Ephraim Inyang-eyen, after decamping to his new party, has been running from pillar to post seeking 'malaria-induced endorsement for Senate by Mkpat Enin people.'

The statement reaffirmed the position of Mkpat Enin people and that of the entire Akwa Ibom South, saying they were solidly behind the candidacy of Dr. Ekong Sampson.

"Mkpat Enin people are solidly behind the candidacy of Barr. Ekong Sampson, noting that it was appropriate for the rotation of the Senate seat which started from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and later moved to Eket and then to Oron Federal constituencies, to come back to Ikot Abasi Federal constituency – specifically to Mkpat Enin. Even other political parties have brought out their senatorial candidates from Mkpat Enin out of the zoning arrangement. But Ephraim Inyang will not hear of this, typical of a lawless behavior.

"Mkpat Enin people wonder what Mr. Inyang-eyen would be remembered for, when he adamantly said that some major roads in Mkpat Enin have no economic value and refused to push for their construction in the area during his tenure as Commissioner for Works. No indigene of Mkpat Enin can point to any meaningful empowerment from him.

"Mkpat Enin local government area has a mature political culture and knows how to appreciate leaders unlike Ephraim Inyang-eyen whose lifestyle is characterized by a sense of ingratitude exemplified in his rudeness and insult which he has constantly meted out to the State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, a man who gave him a life-turning podium to climb and stand on. And we ask, like others, why is Ephraim Inyang telling lies and trying to incite the public against Governor Udom Emmanuel, who helped him? Is this not the same way Ephraim Inyang wants to payback Akwa Ibom South people, given the fact that an ingrate has no conscience and can easily bite the finger that fed him?" the statement questioned, rhetorically.

Mkpat Enin people reechoed their unwavering support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and Completion Agenda and Succession Plan, saying they were going to vote for their proud in-law, Pastor Umo Eno and all the PDP candidates.

"People who are supporting Dr. Ekong Sampson and Mkpat Enin are people with conscience and respect for law and order. They respect the benefits of zoning. They also appreciate that Ekong Sampson worked in the Senate before he became Local Government Chairman, House of Assembly Member and Commissioner. These people respect Mkpat Enin as a Local Government Area. They respect zoning, experience, capacity and character which favour Ekong Sampson for Senate.

"No amount of blackmail, sponsored twisted propaganda, attempts to divert and curry public sympathy and sheer lawlessness, can make Ephraim Inyang usurp the turn of Mkpat Enin for Senate. For purpose of emphasis, Mkpat Enin stands like the rock of Gibraltar behind Gov. Udom Emmanuel and will support him to the end of his administration and to produce his successor, Pastor Umo Eno who is proudly married to our great daughter, Pastor (Mrs) Umo Eno. Enough is enough.

In another related development, the Supreme Youth Council of Ikpa Ikono Clan in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, has released a statement to refute the purported 'endorsement of Ephraim Inyang-eyen by Ikpa Ikono people'.

It reads: "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."

The youths body slammed Mr. Inyangeyen and his cohorts for thinking that Ikpa Ikono will leave their illustrious son, Rt Hon.(Barr.) Ekong Sampson (Adaiso Ikpa Ikono) to give him even a sphincter of vote.

The release described Barr. Ekong Sampson as their beacon of light saying that Ekong Sampson for Senate is already a done deal.

"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", the statement stated emphatically.

By Michael Udo

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)

- GROUP UNCOVERS PLANS FOR VIOLENT PROTEST

- POLICE READS RIOT ACT AS OBA KNOWS FATE THIS WEEK


A group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance has alerted security agents of a plot by an embattled senator, Bassey Albert Akpan to allegedly fuel violent protests that may result in a breakdown of law and order in the State.

In a statement in Uyo, the group warned the general public to be wary of the antics of the so-called protesters to masquerade as agents of social change, just to cause chaos and serious breakdown of law and order.

The statement reads in part, “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”, the statement maintained.

Reacting, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi has acknowledged intelligence reports of a violence protest and has warned that violent protest of any kind will not be tolerated within the State.

Citing the ongoing Police biennial games, the Commissioner of Police further noted that Akwa Ibom State is a peace brand and a tourist attraction, and hence, should be protected rather than portrayed in negative light.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, the police commissioner advised those intending to carry out any protest to reconsider and desist forthwith as available information reveals that it might lead to violent clashes.

The statement insists that the Police “will not hesitate to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of any form of violent protest in any part of the state.”

Judgement on the bribery case against the Uyo Senatorial District senator is expected within this week at the Federal High Court in Uyo.

It could be recalled that 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:

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.

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.

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.

Bassey also agreed that the Interministerial Direct Labour Committee he chaired, made payments to Omokore’s companies during the period in question.

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.

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.

Our investigation reveals that Omokore had been 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".

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan and his supporters have been warned to desist from further blackmail and smear campaigns against Governor Udom Emmanuel, over the current legal imbroglio of the Young Progressives Party’s gubernatorial candidate.

A major advocacy group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance in a reaction by its Chairman, Barr Stephen Abia, said it was unfair and uncharitable for the embattled senator to transfer blames of his travails to the doorsteps of Governor Emmanuel who neither originated the charges nor even knows of the facts of the case.

The group opined that to remotely or directly blame Governor Emmanuel for the probe of Bassey Akpan’s financial impropriety, was devilish, wicked and malicious.

“From investigations by our team of professionals, Governor Emmanuel was not in office as Governor, when the case of bribery and corruption against Bassey Albert Akpan commenced”, said Barr Stephen Abia.

“The case was purely on the heels of a probe of the infamous alleged slush funds against a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, where part of the funds where allegedly linked to a certain Jide Omokoro who confessed during investigation that he used the funds to bribe Senator Albert Akpan through car donations amounting to N204million to get contracts.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested and detained Senator Akpan over cars that he had allegedly received as bribe from Jide Omokore while serving as Akwa Ibom Finance Commissioner and Chairman of the State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

“Investigations show that the Omokore's companies – Bay Atlantic Energy and Sahel Energy – received contracts from the Senator Akpan’s InterMinisterial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee and the EFCC claimed the vehicles were used to bribe Akpan.

“We have discovered that it is only on the basis of jurisdiction that the case could not be decided a long time ago when the trial was conducted at Justice O.A. Taiwo presided Federal High Court in Lagos, hence the case was reassigned to the federal high court in Uyo in line with Senator Albert Akpan’s argument that the offense took place in Uyo.

“When he was testifying at the High Court, Senator Albert admitted receiving the car bribe from Omokaro and further brought some members of his campaign team as witnesses that they were given the contentious vehicles to campaign for Albert’s elections in 2015.

“Throughout the duration of this trial and till this moment, there is no record that the Akwa Ibom State government was a party in the case, nor can it be said that Governor Emmanuel or any of his appointees had testified in the case. It is therefore worrisome that Senator Bassey Albert would come out to castigate the Governor for a sin he allegedly committed when Governor Emmanuel had not assumed office”, the group enthused.

According to Barr Stephen Abia, himself an indigene of Ibiono Ibom local government where Bassey Albert also hails from, the people of Ibiono Ibom have disassociated themselves from the corruption allegations against their son, and are also ready to remain in support of the transparent leadership of Governor Emmanuel, which has brought about monumental feats in the State since 2015.

Judgement on the case is expected to come up on Friday this week at the Federal High Court in Uyo.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr UDOM Emmanuel in company of his colleague, the governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, today welcomed two new Airbuses A320 200 series that will be joining the #IbomAir service. The latest addition will help boost the operations of the State owned Airline.

Recall that at the Dubai airshow earlier in the year, the governor had entered into a contract with Airbus that will allow Ibom Air take delivery of 10 new Airbuses beginning next year excluding the 2 aircrafts that arrived today.

The Governor also hinted that 40 Akwa Ibom Indigenes are undergoing trainings either as engineers or as pilots at the Airbus Flight Academy in Charente, France.

#CompletionAgenda
#IbomAir

The social media space is inundated with some incisive remarks by governoship candidate of Young Peoples Party (YPP) Senator Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) against  governor Udom Emmanuel over derivation funds paid by president Mohammedu Buhari to the Niger Delta states from 1999 till date. 

From the write up , the YPP was on his campaign tour to ward 1,2,6,7 and East Itam 1,2,3 in Itu local government area where he lost focus on his fake campaign promises to peep into AKwa Ibom treasury to gain cheap  popularity that will lead him to nowhere in 2023 . 

He did not only  peeped  into the state treasury but complain of Industrialization policy drive of the state government just to show that his campaign lacks clear cut focus and direction . 

Needless to mention here that the industrialization policy of governor Udom Emmanuel has put smiles on faces of indigenes and residents in the state . The syringe manufacturing company, pencil production plant, Toothpick industry, The Flour mill and others are testimonies that OBA is not interested in welfare of the people but to become the governor to have control of the state treasury . Affliction can never occur the second time in AKwa Ibom state . 

OBA was so confused when he learnt that from his unconfirmed source that governor Udom Emmanuel was among the governor's of Niger Delta states that  collected N600b as backlog of oil derivation. He lost focus in his campaign and almost fainted . 

OBA queried why the governor didn't use the money to develop Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency where he comes from. Very sad! He forgot other federal constituencies in the state . This is a man who wants to become the governor of AKwa Ibom state by all means. 

Senator Albert did not remember the ongoing General Hospital project by governor Udom Emmanuel in his local government area. This is a case of Judas Iscariot in the Bible who cried when expensive ointment was poured on Jesus's head . He cried for the poor. But the master knew his heart was to embezzled the funds if the oil was sold in the guise of taking care for the poor. 

Hear the selfish comment of Senator Albert: 
"What Udom has received is enough to develop Itu and Ibiono." 

This shows AKwa Ibom people what Senator Albert would be doing if given a chance to be the governor of AKwa Ibom state . God forbid! 

OBA will forget the less privileged persons, shun free and compulsory education , neglect infrastructure of other local government areas and fan the embers of tribalism and this is our chance syndrome to the detriment of AKwa Ibom people . Thank God for Governor Udom Emmanuel who has laid solid foundation for a business man like Umo Eno to continue where he stopped not a self centered person like OBA 


The truth is that how many AKwa Ibom people had OBA given food without belonging to his federal constituency or dark affiliations? 

Senator Albert supposed to think of how to wriggle out from all his cases in court including manipulating his ways to become the YPP governoship candidate in AKwa which case will soon be decided at the federal High court not to look into the state treasury. 

Rather, he should observed massive road network , school infrastructure, fly over , Ibom Air , cottage industries among others brought by governor Udom Emmanuel from the derivation funds to finance ongoing projects across the state .

...Olympic Standard Swimming Pool for Inauguration, November 22

Preparations are in top gear for the hosting of the 2022 13th Biennial Nigeria Police Games in Akwa Ibom State.

The Police sports fiesta which is scheduled for commencement on the 23rd of November, 2022 will have not less than thirty-five thousand officers in the Nigeria Police Force and allied service providers in participation .

The State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, dropped the hint while addressing worshippers during the November edition of the Monthly Government House Prayer Meeting held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo.

Governor Emmanuel described the Police Games as one of the biggest sporting events in the state, affirming that it will bring about an upsurge in the socio-economic activities of the state.

"Within the week we will have a lot of visitors coming into the state. We are hosting the Police Games in Akwa Ibom State and over 6,000 athletes will be here and it will commence on 23rd November, 2022. It will be a season of big economic activities. By the time you have 35,000 people come into your state, no matter what, they will buy pure water, eat roosted plantain and stimulate the economy of the state," he stated.

Governor Emmanuel further assured that the 2022 edition of Akwa Ibom State Carol Festival will be the best of its kind, adding that two new A320 aircrafts acquired to increase the Ibom Air fleet were already in the country.

The acquisition, he explained, was to meet up with the envisaged heightened demand that will be occasioned by the state's signature Christmas event, in addition to the usual Yuletide rush.

To ascertain the state of facilities for the week long sporting event, Governor Udom Emmanuel later moved to inspect ongoing work at the Uyo Sports Stadium where an Olympic size swimming pool and other indoor games facilities are being constructed.

At the stadium, Governor expressed satisfaction at the pace of work execution and thanked the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba and the police hierarchy for the choice of Akwa Ibom State for the Police Games which, according to him, gave the inspiration to expand and improve upon existing sports facilities in the state as well as the push to put new ones in place.

He also gave kudos to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko and his team of indigenous engineers for proving their metle in the quality of work, timeliness and level of completion of the project, justifying their expertise on the inspiration from the Dakkada philosophy of his administration.

In his interaction with Government House Correspondents shortly after conducting the Governor and his team around the facilities, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, assured that the swimming pool project was near completion and will be commissioned for usage before the commencement of the 2022 Police Games on November 23.

The Sports Commissioner explained that the swimming pool was built to Olympic standard with dimensions of 25 metres by 50 meters in area, 2 meters in depth, with a 1,500 spectators capacity in a well covered sitting area.

Also, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, described the state as a safe haven for the event and expressed satisfaction at the preparedness of the the state to host the 2022 Police Games, assuring of safety and security for visitors and citizens.

The Police boss promised that the police, as usual, is ready to thrill Nigerians again with the display of world-class sports talents.