₦airaland Forum

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.

...says Ekong Sampson is right choice for Akwa Ibom South.

...as Umo Eno receives flag, gives deep insights to leadership.

By Samuel Udoma

Gov. Udom Emmanuel has reaffirmed that the zoning of the senate seat among federal constituencies in Eket Senatorial District remains sacrosanct. Gov. Emmanuel, who hails from Onna Local Government and is the highest political officer holder in Eket Senatorial District, stated this yesterday during the Governorship Campaign Flag-Off/Declaration by Pastor Umo Eno held at the Nest of Champions, Uyo.

Addressing the mammoth crowd of party men and women who thronged the Nest of Champions to witness as Pastor Umo Eno, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state declared, Gov. Emmanuel said on the senate seat zoning:

"In Eket Senatorial District, we respect zoning, we started from Ikot Abasi-two terms, from there to Eket federal constituency-two terms and then Oron federal constituency- two terms.

When the Party leaders in the State and in the National approached me, asking that as a right, I should take the ticket for my senatorial district, I told them that I am a man of integrity and I cannot go against the decision of elders of my senatorial district. I told them that zoning favours Ikot Abasi federal constituency and I am not from there. I also told them that my people will support me by voting for a candidate from Ikot Abasi federal constituency and that candidate is Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson", the State Chief Executive reaffirmed strongly.

The Governor described Dr. Ekong Sampson as the right choice for the Senatorial District, and drummed support for Pastor Umo Eno as well as all other candidates of the PDP in the forthcoming polls.

Meanwhile, it was pomp, excitement and celebrations at the Nest of Champions as Pastor Umo Eno unveiled his master plan. The former Lands and Housing Commissioner, flanked by wife, Patience and his Deputy designate and current Senator for Akwa Ibom South, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, spoke passionately about his 'Arise Agenda' for the state, offering deep leadership insights.

Pastor Umo Eno said he will work extra hard to repay the huge confidence and support he has received so far in his governorship bid.
'This is my contract with you my dear Akwa Ibomites, and on my honour and with the help of God. I will work to make our state the perpetuity capital of Nigeria. The best years of Akwa Ibom State are not in the past, they are in the future: we have had a beautiful silver past, may God lead us to a golden future', the guber hopeful said assuredly, drawing loud applause from the stands.

He said his ARISE Agenda has a clear cut vision to build on the gains of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration and ensured sustainable continuity.

Recall, that elders of Eket Senatorial District had met and upheld that the 2023 senate seat goes to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in particular. Dr. Ekong Sampson, who holds the PDP flag in the senate race hails from Mkpat Enin, where he is a household name.

The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin parades a rich political resumé which sets him apart in the race. He had cut his political teeth as a Chief Legislative Aide to the legendary Senator Udoma Udo Udoma in the senate. From there, he went on to become Council Chairman of Mkpat Enin for two terms, House of Assembly Member also for two terms. He was appointed into the State Executive Council by Gov. Udom Emmanuel, where he served for five years in a number of strategic ministries, the last of them being Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources. Sampson also, was at a time, Special Adviser, Bureau of Political and Legislative Affairs to the Governor.

Ekong Sampson's stint as Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum in the state is instructive. Eket Senatorial District is an oil rich entity and oil politics is central and critical to the people of the area. Supporters and stakeholders in Eket Senatorial District have often quoted Dr. Sampson's legal background and his understanding of the workings of oil politics as a masterstroke in his aspiration. Many who are backing him believe, with his background in the oil and gas sector, he will use it to an advantage for the district as a senator.

...promises effective representation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Flag- bearer for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Dr. Glory Edet has reaffirmed her commitment to effectively represent her people and transform the area if elected into office next year.

Speaking at the ward-to-ward sensitization tour which berthed in Ikono ward three and Ndiya Ward eight, Dr. Edet appreciated the supporters for their steadfastness and charged them to support all candidates of the party. She said her aspiration is borne out of her readiness to bring democracy deliverables back home to her people.

Also speaking, the PDP Candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem congratulated the party faithfuls in Ikono for their show of commitment and expressed confidence that Ikono will deliver PDP massively at next year's polls.

The PDP standard-bearer for Ikono state constituency, Hon. Itoro Columba, who also graced the occasion, assured participants that Ikono will massively support all candidates of the PDP because of the party's antecedents. He read out his plans for the state constituency and assured the people that he would always strive to bring effective governance to the people of Ikono.

Sir. S.U. Akpan, the Polilitical Leader of Ikono, noted that the glory days of Ikono is on the journey of being restored, charged the participants to support enmase all candidates of PDP and added that Ikono has been a huge beneficiary of the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The council Chairman of Ikono LGA, Hon. Nyakno Okoibu assured that Ikono will deliver PDP massively at the general elections next year and stressed that it is turn of Ini to represent the Federal Constituency in 2023.

Earlier, the Champion of Ikono politics, Sir. Victor Etefia who admonished the people of both wards to shun anti-party activities charged them to work assiduously towards the success of all candidates of the party at the polls next year.

Rt. Hon Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Chief Whip, AKHA and Member Representing Ini State Constituency, In his speech, stated that in 2019, Ini LGA gave Ikono block votes which saw the emergence of the current sitting Federal house member, hinted further that it was right for Ikono to replicate the same energy to deliver Ini in 2023.

"This is the time for Ini LGA to have a representative at the federal house and I want to say without any form of intimidation, that we shall deliver all the PDP candidates at the polls”, he said.

Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia, former House of Assembly Member while describing Dr. Glory Edet as one with capacity to lead well the people of Ikono assured the participants that ward 3 and 8 will totally deliver block votes for all candidates of the party.

Also speaking, Barr. Moses Akpan, State Organising Secretary of PDP, advised the people of Ikono to be firm in their support for the party, guard jealously against anti-party activities and support all candidates of PDP at next year's general elections.

The ward Chairman of Ndiya Ward eight, Sgt. Samuel Akpan said
"It can never be in my time that PDP will lose elections in my ward". He further assured the candidates that Ndiya is solely for PDP.

Others also who spoke at the tour were, Hon. Inyangette, Elder. Luke Eshiet, Chairman, Ndiya Elders' Forum, Ward Chairman, Ward 3, Akparawa Emmanuel Jimmy, Councilor, ward 3, Hon. Emmanuel Sampson,
Woman Leader Ward 3 and a host of others.

Highpoint of the event was the receiving of defectors from other parties to PDP in Wards 3 &8 and unveiling of the PDP ward office in Ndiya, ward 8.

Earlier, Dr. Glory Edet, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, Hon. Itoro Columba, Ors, visited the Palaces of the Eteidung Eyo Udo Atie, village Head of
Ibiaku Ata, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, ward 3 and Etebom Godswill Udoisang, Clan Head, Ndiya Clan, ward 8 to inform them of their ambitions and seek for their prayers and support.
The Royal fathers gave them their blessings.

Gifts were given to the House of Representatives Candidate in appreciation of her good works.

As usual in all the Wards, Dr. Edet made the less-privileged people and others to smile home with gifts to them.


To God be the glory
©️ Media Team, God's Glory Campaign Organization

A senior priest of the African Church and Special Assistant to governor Udom Emmanuel on Media, Revd Richard Peters had claimed that the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP in Akwa Ibom state, Mr Bassey Albert popularly known as OBA has created over 100 fake social media accounts to blackmail and project propaganda against opponents.

The cleric also denied cultism allegations leveled against him on social media.

In a statement made available to journalists in Uyo on Friday the Cleric said OBA faithfuls were bent on invading comment sections of any facebook post promoting Umo Eno, the PDP Governorship candidate and post a counter comment just to bring him and the poster down.

He attributed their action to lack of ideas and campaign strategies to win the minds of Akwa Ibom people who are religiously PDP faithfuls.

The Cleric said he had forwarded the screenshot comments and allegations to the commissioner of police and other security agencies for discreet investigations.


According to the text in full, "I have forwarded the screenshot comments below to the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies for a thorough investigation, I'm hopeful that the manipulators and those who shared will be invited to defend their claims or give further details to what they shared. It is my believe that perpetrators will be brought to book.

"I have been informed that at the instance of Bassey Albert, he has allegedly given approval for the creation of about 100 fake facebook accounts and pages to be used for blackmail and propaganda, this is as a result of their continuous lack of ideas.

"Their primary plan is to invade the comment section to discredit posts that promote Umo Eno and the PDP using the fake accounts, and make comments aimed at maligning the writer and the piece. This will happen in the coming days, because they are bereft of ideas.

"Already, they have started using the fake accounts to blackmail me as a cultist. This is laughable. As a Priest, I have taken an oath not to belong to any cult group, with severe consequences attached to it, hence, I cannot belong to any secret society. This is pure blackmail orchestrated from the camp of OBA.

"It is sad that the Nigeria political system seems to destroy the fibre of our democratic principles, and observance of our fundamental rights to life, freedom of expression etc. My insistence on OBA and his supporters to spell out what they have in stock for Akwa Ibom people have made me any my family their number one target for abuse and blackmail.

"Governance all over the world is not a product of sentiment, but a deliberate effort towards influencing policies and programmes that would facilitate better living. Candidates aspiring for different positions should have ideas and plans packaged in form of manifesto that the electorate can see and make informed decision, whether to vote for or against such a candidate. This is the practice in developed democracies, and must be applied anywhere democracy is adopted as a system of governance.

"But it is rather unfortunate that some candidates view governance as an entitlement that must be packaged and given to them on a platter of gold. They see it as a reward for "labour", and not based on the need to effect change and contribute to nation building. As a result of this mindset, they tend to see those who challenge them to do the needful by informing the people why they should be supported as enemies.

"Exercising my right as a citizen of this state has turned me into one that OBA and his supporters have vowed to eliminate, abuse, malign and blackmail.

"Through different mediums, I have made my points clear that no cultist will govern Akwa Ibom, whether he is a cultist for Christ or satan. (You can see the story on Vanguard, Dailypost and The Sun newspapers)
https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/19/2023-dont-vote-cultist-as-your-gov-cleric-appeals-to-akwa-ibom-people/

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/2023-cleric-advises-aibom-against-electing-a-cultist-as-governor/

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/2023-a-ibom-cleric-advises-electorate-against-voting-cultist-as-governor/
Let me restate that, no cultist will smell the Hill Top mansion. Let it be known to OBA that power cannot be given to desperate people, and the fact that they have poorly manufactured a cult-oriented blackmail against me shows that he has confirmed my curiosity about his alleged involvement in cultism. This is the aftermath of trying other methods of blackmail against me.

"With these fake accounts to be used for blackmail in the coming days, they have concluded within themselves that no outspoken person against them will be spared.

"However, Akwa Ibom people and the PDP will stand for justice, fair-play and engage in global best practices of electioneering.

The crowd at PDP rallies are true reflection of reality, and not rented crowd from across the state and neighbouring states during OBA's events just to show off their fake number. It's a jamboree, which will not in anyway influence the outcome of the elections.

"The crowd at PDP rallies are real electorates from units, wards and LGAs where the event take place. And this poses a great challenge for the YPP and other opposition parties in the state Akwa Ibom is PDP, and PDP is Akwa Ibom state."

A senior Priest of the African Church in Akwa Ibom State, Reverend Richard Peters has described as unimaginable and height of irresponsibility for anyone to speculate that the killing of two Aides of the Governorship candidate of the Young Peoples Party YPP in the state, Senator Bassey Akpan was politically motivated.

It could be recalled that the Senator's Aides were killed by Unknown Gunmen in Imo State when they went to bring campaign vehicles, Senator Ifeanyi Uba distributed to all the state branches of the party.

Fielding questions from callers during a phone in programme in Uyo over the weekend, the Cleric who sympathized with the deceased families warned political gladiators against cashing into the unfortunate situation to blackmail any person or the government.

Peters who is also the Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Media while speaking on the campaigns flagg off for the 2023 general elections urged the people to shun blackmail, propaganda, hate speech and violence against people who do not share same political ideology with them

He also urged them to leverage on the peaceful atmosphere the governor, Mr Emmanuel had created in the state to go about their campaigns.

His words "it is ridiculous for somebody to come up with the notion that the killing of the two Aides by unknown gunmen in Imo State has anything to do with Akwa Ibom politics. It is not everything that we should attach politics to, though everything goes during campaign period like this.

"My advice to politicians is; as we are already into campaigns for 2023 general elections, they should uphold the political culture of non violence which the governor has established in the state and shun blackmail propaganda hate speech especially against those who do not share same political ideology with them."

Peters who further advised politicians to borrow a leaf from the peaceful disposition of the governor in politicking recalled how he(governor Emmanuel) was able to quell the storm in 2019 war song of "warsaw saw war" in the state and the threat of "Federal Might" through his calm and focused nature on issues that have to do with the state.

"Since the inception of this administration in 2015, it has never been recorded that any person who vied for political office was killed or the family members killed, victimized, tortured or even threatened.

"Then in 2019, we all were here when the sound of "Warsaw saw war" was hitting, the alleged Federal might threat, hilux and walking sticks purchased accross the state? despite all the intimidations, the governor was calm, the only thing he said was that Akwa Ibom people will resist any attempt to jeopardize the interest, safety and peace in the state, and he came out victorious.

"The governor has allowed the democratic principles to come to play, we are very much hopeful that political opponents and gladiators should take the advantage of this peaceful disposition of the governor and call their supporters to remain peaceful in their dealings for the overall interest of the state." The cleric noted.

On Wednesday, 28th September, 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) finally blew the whstle for the official commencement of campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections. It was a sound that political parties, candidates, politicians and the electorate had been patiently waiting for to jump into the ring to battle for victory at the ballot. Beyond the fun fare and the motion that accompanied such event, it is incumbent on the electorate to be more intentional about who they want to hand over the mantle of leadership to come 2023. This is a very decisive moment that should not be treated with kid gloves.

Before the All Progressive Congress (APC) took over power from the PDP after 16 years of leading the nation by the latter, the country witnessed an avalanche of Infrastructural development, technological revolution, excellent international relationship with other democracies of the world, in addition to many democratic dividends founded on the ethos of good governance.

The Obasanjo's administration set the tone for a Nigeria that saw for the first time national integration and common interests where Nigerians irrespective of geopolitical differences came together to build a nation where everyone had a sense of belonging. Despite the administration 's short comings, it was worth commending for many of its blessing, especially in telecommunication renaissance.

After serving for eight years, Obasanjo handed over to the Late President Umar'u Musa Yaradua who put the final nail on the coffin of restiveness in the Niger Delta region through the granting of amnesty to repentant militants, as well as facilitating their training within and outside the country. It was a lone move that quieted the agitation and restiveness that characterized the Niger Delta region then. Though short-lived, but the deliverables occasioned by Yaradua 's excellent and humane leadership was top notch.

After Yaradua exited the planet, Goodluck Jonathan , still under the PDP launched a harvest of democratic dividends through several people -oriented policies that boosted the morale of the Nigerian Army to decimate the insurgency in the north eastern part of the country. His economic policies boosted Nigeria's economic strength on a global scale, and made ours the most viable economy in Africa.

While Jonathan was still strategizing to consolidate his achievement so far through a second term ticket, he was defeated by President Buhari's APC on the wings of so many unimaginable promises. Nigerians never asked the APC what changed the party was bringing to the table. All they wanted was change, and today, everyone is clamouring for another change.

Nigerians were promised to expect a bumper harvest, where one naira will equal one dollar, fuel sold as cheap as N40.00 per liter, Boko Haram crushed in 3 weeks, corruption fought to a standstill, all the four refineries revamped in four years, and many more. In the last count, none of the promises have been met. Instead, it is becoming worse by the day. Fuel which was sold at N89 per liter when Muhammadu Buhari took is "graciously" sold at N198 per liter. Exchange rate of dollar has reached an all time record of N550 or N600 , while corruption has been given an exalted position and even normalized in the country. None of the refineries is functional, while Buhari's government is busy building a refinery at Niger republic, an attempt to please a stranger at the expense of one's family. The Bible says such a man is worse than an infidel. Insecurity is not to be mentioned at all, as no where is safe in the country.

From 2015 till date, policies of the APC government have taken Nigeria 10 years backward. From the removal of fuel subsidy that Buhari never believed in until he took over power, to the ordination of corruption at an unprecedented dimension, as well as the never -imagined insecurity and wanton killings, Nigeria which has been described as a failed state is only the shadow of what it was when the PDP was at the helm of affairs at the center.

It is therefore glaringly clear that the APC government knows nothing about leadership, as the only success recorded in the last 7 years is to defend their abysmal failure through various press releases and mastering of the blame game.

The APC which has zero regard for the welfare of Nigerians, could not address the agitation of Nigerian lecturers, and instead of meeting their demands inorder for Nigerian students to go back to school, they focus on the next election by sacrificing the liberation of the next generation on the altar of irresponsibility. As it is, there is no hope from anywhere that things will change for the better, except power is taken back by the PDP.

Beyond sentiments, babies in the womb are already tired of the APC government. Prices of goods have sky rocketed, and hunger has taken over the land. Many families cannot afford one square meal a day, not to mention starting up a business in an already hostile economic environment created by the APC. The rate of suicide is unimaginable, as many businesses have folded up and several international brands relocating to other African countries, while we brag as the giant of Africa with nothing to show.

The signs are very clear that if we make the same mistake we made in 2015, we will be nothing more than the iconic Chinua Achebe's masterpiece "There was a Country".

It is now incumbent on Nigerians to throw their weights behind the PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who is a celebral business tycoon who understands the economies of nations, and has what it takes to take us out of the current economic downturn.

With Governor UDOM Emmanuel as the chairman of the PDP presidential campaign council, leading well over 600 members on a mission to redeem and rescue Nigeria from collapse, we can be rest assured that there is hope for a better Nigeria under the PDP leadership.

Nigeria had never been reduced to a mere ant instead of giant like we have today, not even during the various military regimes. What we are experiencing today smacks of leadership cluelessness, crass incompetence, abysmal failure, irresponsibility and celebration of corruption.

Now that campaigns have begun, all those who yearn for the greatness of Nigeria should root for the Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria and their candidates at all levels. The PDP is founded on the platform of social justice, national integration and the core principles of democracy.

The economic blueprint of the PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is excellent enough to take Nigeria out of the economic mess the APC government threw us into, and position us back to the former position as number one economy in Africa, during Jonathan 's tenure. This is another chance to correct the mistake Nigerians made in 2015. The PDP is the redeeming umbrella that all Nigerians should pitch their tent in.

Richard Peters, Uyo

A federal high court in Uyo on Tuesday adjourned till October 24th 2022, for adoption of final addresses in the case by a defeated aspirant, Mr Akan Okon, challenging Pastor Umo Eno’s candidacy as the Governorship candidate of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

This follows the testimony from the last witness of the 1st and 2nd defendants who was under cross examination by the Plaintiff.

Police Chief Superintendent, Chris Endeley gave testimony as the third witness, subpoenaed by the court at the instance of the 1st and 2nd defendants as DW3.

Under cross examination by the Counsel to the Plaintiff, Okey Amaechi, SAN, the police detective who works with the department of criminal investigation and intelligence department of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, told the court he had conducted investigations into the allegations of criminal forgery preferred against the PDP governorship candidate.

He admitted before the court that he never knew Pastor Umo Eno before he was assigned the case by the Commissioner of Police and that he had to proceed to the West African Examinations Council Zonal controller’s office in Ogba, Ikeja in Lagos state where he was furnished with the details of his investigations.

He also confirmed that part of his brief was to investigate the letter of disclamation purportedly written by the zonal office of WAEC in Ikeja to a group known as Association for the Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, AADN.

However the counsel to the Plaintiff, Amaechi, insisted that he was not truthful and insisted that the witness manufactured the response from WAEC by himself. “I put it to you that you are telling lies and only manufactured this result to help your friend Pastor Umo Eno”, queried Amaechi.

“My lord, I went to Ogba in Ikeja myself and got the letter of confirmation from the zonal controller of WAEC,” the Police Superintendent insisted.

The West African Examinations Council had on Thursday confirmed before the Federal High Court that Pastor Umo Eno indeed sat for their examinations in 1981 and 1983 respectively.

Irogberachi Ihejirika, a senior assistant registrar with the Uyo office of the regional examination council, appeared as a subpoenaed witness of the court for the 1st and 2nd defendants to tender the results certificates among other documents as exhibits.

The documents include certified true copies of the WAEC General Certificate Examination of June 1981 of Bassey Umo Eno, admitted as D5 by the court, WAEC General Certificate Examination, ordinary level of Dec 1983 belonging to Eno Umo Bassey admitted as D6 by the court.

He also tendered two different letters dated August 8, and September 5, 2022, respectively, and addressed to the criminal intelligence and investigations department of the Nigerian Police Force in Uyo tendered as Exhibit D7 before the court.

Earlier the first subpoenaed witness for the defense team, Barr Emmanuel Essien of the State Ministry of Justice, was in the witness box and presented letters of confirmation of WAEC certificates of Pastor Umo Eno, dated June 27, 2022 and addressed to the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State.

The two confirmation of results were that of May/June 1981 belonging to 2nd Defendant and that of December 1983.

The counsel to the Plaintiff reserved objections to the documents being tendered while the Counsel to INEC raised no objection.

The court admitted the confirmation of results from WAEC tendered by DW1 as Exhibits D2 and D3.

Governor Udom Emmanuel has called on Christians not to relent in their civic responsibility of exercising their franchise by electing credible leaders who would sustain the trend of development and putting in place the much cherished dividends of democracy.

Governor Emmanuel was speaking during a one-day Mega Prayer Rally, organized by Fathers in Faith for Good Governance with the theme, ‘Oh God, Behold our Land’, at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo.

The governor who emphasized on the need for Christians to be actively involved in governance by exercising their franchise at the forthcoming general elections, explained that their involvement is a demonstration of a commitment towards addressing the challenges of leadership and charged them to elect leaders with godly attributes that will continue with the development of the State and the people.

The Chief Executive however commended the Christian leaders under the aegis of Fathers in Faith for their intercessory role in prayers, and the contributions of eminent Akwa Ibom people that have been instrumental to the peace and growth of the state.

“I want to acknowledge God and I pray that God will continue to honour what we do. Let me appreciate the convener of this programme, all the Fathers in Faith for standing in intercession for the good of our state

“Let me also charge those who are playing religion that we are where we are today because the Christians have left the space, if Christians had not given out the space we wouldn’t have been where we are today even as a country.

“In Christianity we are only complaining, if Christians want to redeem the land they must be involved”, he noted.

The governor appealed to the people to be patient with contractors handling road projects especially during the rainy season, pointing out that the roads may look a bit messed up, it will only be for a while and assured on completion of the projects to ease economic activities.

“If you must eat an omelette, you must break an egg, please don’t criticize government for pouring laterite on the road because it looks muddy, soon rainy season will be over and the projects will be completed.

He appreciated everyone for praying earnestly for the peace and growth of Akwa Ibom State from creation of the State 35 years ago.

In a goodwill message, the state governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Umo Eno, thanked the Fathers in Faith for organizing the event for Christians to gather and pray for the state, adding that there is need to sustain peace which is a fulcrum to development and job creation in the state .

In his homily, tagged ‘The Kingdom of God" drawn from Matt: 6:9-10, Pastor Ben Offiong, harped on the need for Christians to elect leaders with the fear of God to lead the state under the atmosphere of peace and development.

The well attended event featured songs of praise, exhortation and intercessory prayers.

The defense by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno in the ongoing certificate forgery case has seriously punctured the allegation by the failed governorship aspirant in the state, Mr Akan Okon.

Akan Okon in a petition dated 7th June 2022 is challenging the credentials of Pastor Umo Eno at the Federal High Court, Uyo in suit no FCH/UY/CS/110/2022 alleging forgery of WAEC certificate submitted among the credentials by the PDP candidate.

But Akan Okon during cross examination by the defense counsel, Paul Usoro SAN, admitted that his petition was merely based on hearsay when he told the court that he has no knowledge of forensic science but met a forensic expert for the first time on 25th August 2022 while his statement of claims and witness statement on oath dated 7th June 2022.

Okon further explained that throughout the process, he contacted neither WAEC nor Victory High School where Umo attended, to verify his allegations before coming to court.

He however told the court that he contacted WAEC indirectly through one Alakija of Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria AADN which he himself is not a member.

On the issue of Umo Eno not having a voter's card, Okon told the court that although he never worked with INEC, he had access to the commission's database where he checked Eno's registration.

This position was swiftly countered by counsel to INEC, Emmanuel Eze who asked Akan Okon if he's aware that only the INEC ICT manager can access INEC database with a permission from the commission?

As Okon insisted that he accessed the commission's database, Eze put it to him that he attempted hacking on the INEC database which is a criminal offense punishable by law.

Base on available evidence and the demand of proof by anyone who alleges, it is very clear that Akan Okon's petition was merely speculative and hearsay without any fact to establish a forgery case. His forensic expert claimed he used a photocopied certificate of Umo Eno in his forensic analysis which can't produce accurate result.

Akan Okon's evidence before the court has made him culpable in the alleged forgery of WAEC letterhead by his Alakija led AADN NGO.

So far, Akan Okon is unable to prove his allegation of forgery, non attendance of Victory High School, non registration as a voter, and multiple birthdate of Umo Eno.

In his defense, Pastor Umo Eno subpoenaed the Office of the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, West African Examination Council WAEC to tender documents under the subpoena ducie tecum while the Nigerian Police Force, Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence came under subpoena atestificado.

The office of attorney general was in court to present the letter from WAEC calling for a full scale investigation to the impersonation and forgery of their letterhead by Akan Okon's AADN. The exam body stated that such letter never emanated from their office as nobody contacted them on the matter.

Also, WAEC was represented by the senior assistant registrar, Uyo zonal office who presented Pastor Umo Eno's confirmation of results and WAEC certificates of 1981 and 1983. The examination body also presented to the court an investigation report with Ref no Ik/ZC/EX/WRV/7B/VoL.1/15 dated 8th August 2022, and IK/ZC/EX/WRV/7B/VOL.1/26 dated 5th September 2022; Re: investigation activities CSP Chris Endeleyn.

All documents were tendered, admitted by court, and marked as exhibits.

The CSP Chris Endeleyn also tendered his investigative report on behalf of the Nigerian Police Force, department of criminal investigation and intelligence, before the court.

It was at the point of cross examination of the police representative that counsel to the plaintiff informed the court that he should be allowed to travel to Abia state for his family burial that weekend, and pleaded the court to stand down further hearing till today Tuesday 20th September 2022.

Accordingly the court adjourned to today 20th September 2022 for cross examination.

By Joseph Okon

...as 2022 edition of Ibom Ignite Conference ends in Uyo

A 3-day mindshift gathering, tagged; Ibom Ignite Conference, designed to transform the thought pattern of young minds in Akwa Ibom as well as ignite their passion towards productivity and entrepreneurship, has ended in Uyo with the presentation of cheques to several young entrepreneurs, as business support grants from the visioner of the conference, Pastor Umo Eno.

Among beneficiaries of the grant include, Ndifreke Akpekong, CEO of Tec Foods and dealers in distribution of whole cereals, grains, food supplements and agriculture, smiled home with a support grant of half a million naira, as well as Tochukwu Lorenzo, an artist cum interior decorator and Ruth Bassey, a chemical Engineering graduate and CEO of Enriched Bakery also got half a million each.

In addition, a fashion designer, Mary Ekpo, Stage decorator and events Manager, Precious Titus, and another fashion designer, Miss Blessing Udofot, all got a N300,000 support grant each while other small and medium scale entreprises received various financial supports.

Making his remarks at the closing ceremony, the visioner, Pastor Umo Eno who thanked God for a successful 2022 edition of the Ibom Ignite conference, commended members of the Planning committee for doing a good job. He appreciated participants for attending the event and staying through the three days of the conference and equally thanked resource persons for imparting knowledge on the participants.

Flanked by his wife, Patience, and members of the Central Planning Committee, Pastor Eno announced an increase in number of grant beneficiaries for the 2023 Ibom Ignite, and renewed his commitment to the development of young entrepreneurs in the state.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Pastor Imoh-Abasi Jacob in his vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to God for a clement weather and a successful outing.

The mental capacity building conference which began on Wednesday at Ibom Hall was declared open by Governor Udom Emmanuel, and had an array of speakers from within and outside the country, delivering and imparting knowledge to the youths of Akwa Ibom. The Governor had in his opening remarks acknowledged the richness of the programme contents of the conference and enjoined the youths to make great use of the opportunities before them.

Amongst other speakers who took turns inspiring the youths on Friday, included, Dr. Abel Damina who reminded the youths that the power to make or mar their destinies lies in their hands. He described Pastor Umo Eno as one of the greatest gifts God has given to Akwa Ibom, and enjoined the youths to support his aspiration for a better and prosperous Akwa Ibom. Another speaker, Ms. Rose Umoh challenged participants on making the right decisions and on the need to invest wisely in their future.

A presentation by a representative of Small and Medium Scale Entreprise Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN - Lady Lucy Ekpenyong , and Calistus Onu from Zenith Bank and a representative from Akwa Savings And Loans Limited directed the youths to the available funding opportunities for businesses and startups.

Bishop Wayne Malcolm who wrapped up the conference, inspired Akwa Ibom Youths to break free from limiting barriers. Speaking on the topic "Breaking the Glass Ceiling", he ignited the youths to leverage on relationship as an invalueble currency and to network intentionally. He ended by adding that for the youths to break every glass ceiling above them, personal branding and personal confidence must be developed optimally as a signature for personal growth.

Let me start this article from the conclusion, which is simply the fact that Pst. Umo Bassey Eno will not be required by law to make a personal defence of his certificates in court, the claimant having failed to discharge the burden of proving his allegations against him.

I will proceed to state the Supreme Court's decision on this subject for the interest of the Akwa Ibom educated public.

Note that this explanation is NOT intended for the understanding of Mr. Akan Okon or any of his Media Aids. This is because evidences abound that their brains have been highly compromised that they have lost understanding of the rudiments of English language. Hence, after reading this, you will still hear some of them ask, "why should Umo Eno hire SANs to defend a common case of WAEC certificates when he should have just brought it out and show to the Local News Man at Ibom plaza who will clear him"; "why should Umo Eno evade court appearance if he does not have something he is hiding?"; "Can Umo Eno post his certificates for us to see?; How can Umo Eno Contest the Guber Election when he did not have credit in Mathematics?", etc, etc.

There is nothing I have not heard from these people, indicating that they are ready to pack Akan Okon's shits with their bare hands provided that can guarantee their next meal.
At the end of this futile mission, some of them truly need to go through academic purgatory and rehab, if they must reintegrate with the class of sane Akwa Ibomites.

On whom lies the burden of proof that a candidate’s information or document submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission is false?

By virtue of sections 131, 132 and 133(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, it is the plaintiff who asserts that a candidate’s information or document submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is false that has the legal burden to prove the assertion and until the assertion is proven by the plaintiff, the candidate has no duty to prove his denial of the assertion. (P. 49, paras. E-F)


(Pls not that from below is not for Akan Okon and their Ant brain media team because it can completely restore their brains to factory setting thereby depriving their current source of livelihood.

Let's roll!

Per AGIM, J.S.C. at pages 48-49, paras. B-A:

“With respect to the three WAEC results, exhibits A26, A27 and A28, submitted along with the 2nd respondent’s Form EC9 to the 3rd respondent, the trial court found that even though the results in exhibits A26, A27 and A28 are for the same examination and bear the same examination number, they are self contradictory, false and not authentic because they are not certified true copies and that While exhibits A26 and A27 have 7 subjects, exhibit A28 has 9 subjects. The trial court did not refer to any evidence adduced by the 1st Respondent to prove the allegations that results are false. Upon restating the allegation, the trial Court proceeded to scrutinize the said results and note that the 3 results were for the same results from the same examination, but that while exhibits A26 and A27 show 7 subjects, exhibits A28 show 9 subjects. The trial court did not direct itself to the law that the 1st respondent as plaintiff had the legal burden to prove his assertion that the results are false on account of the said differences in the number of subjects. Because it did not direct itself on the law that the 1st respondent had the burden to prove that the results are false, it did not border to find out if the 1st respondent adduced any evidence beyond the results themselves to prove that they are false. The 1st respondent did not elicit any evidence from WAEC stating that it did not issue those results or that the 2nd respondent did not sit for the said examination and did not obtain the grades in the subjects listed therein. The 1st respondent did not elicit evidence from Uboma Secondary School, Ikperejehe Etiti stating that the Signature on exhibit A28 is not that of its principal or that it did not issue exhibit A28 or that the 2nd respondent did not sit for the said examination in that school or that the content of exhibit A28 are false in any respect. Without any of the above evidence, there is no evidential basis for, the findings that the results are contradictory, not authentic and false because of the differences in them. See Dantiyev. APC & Ors. (supra), Maihaja v. Gaidam (2017)LPELR-42474; (2018) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1610)454 , Abubakar v. I.N.E.C. (2020) 12 NWLR (Pt.1737) 110, Dankwambo v. Abubakar & ors (2015)LPELR-35716(SC); (2016) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1495)157 and Agi v. P.D.P. & Ors. (201 6) LPELR-42578 (SC); (2017) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1595) 386 .”

Now I understand what Sir Wilker meant when he said, "anyianga mkpo ate nnan", being interpreted to mean, "struggling something like the blind".

If it were in advanced society, by now Akan Okon would be walking alone to court.
Alas, see what Buhari's "top to bottom" and hunger ridden economic policies have caused our youths.

By Eld. Emmanuel Udosen

The federal High court is a beehive of activities this Thursday, 15/09/22, as the 1st and 2nd Defendants open their defense in the suit by Akan Okon, challenging Pastor Umo Eno’s candidacy as the Governorship candidate of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

The West African Examinations Council on Thursday confirmed before the Federal High Court that Pastor Umo Eno indeed sat for their examinations in 1981 and 1983 respectively.

Irogberachi Ihejirika, a senior assistant registrar with the Uyo office of the regional examination council, appeared as a subpoenaed witness of the court for the 1st and 2nd defendants to tender the results certificates among other documents as exhibits.

The documents include certified true copies of the WAEC General Certificate Examination of June 1981 of Bassey Umo Eno, admitted as D5 by the court, WAEC General Certificate Examination, ordinary level of Dec 1983 belonging to Eno Umo Bassey admitted as D6 by the court.

He also tendered two different letters dated August 8, and September 5, 2022, respectively, and addressed to the criminal intelligence and investigations department of the Nigerian Police Force in Uyo tendered as Exhibit D7 before the court.

However the Plaintiff’s counsel Okey Amaechi, SAN informs the court that he wishes to cross examine the witness from the examinations body, but the counsel to the 1st two defendants Uwemedimo Nwoko,SAN reminds him that the witness is in court by a court summon, Subpoena Ducetecum and cannot be subjected to cross examination.

He said a party is entitled to choose how it presents its case.

The argument by Amaechi that he is in possession of a witness statement by the witness and that since the witness is in the witness box, it means that he can be cross examined.

However Nwoko draws the court’s attention to the Evidence Act, Sec 219 which deems a statement attribute to a witness, as null and void, if the said statement had not been admitted by the witness in court.

Court overruled the Plaintiff’s Counsel and discharged the WAEC official to go back to his duty post after having confirmed the results of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.

Police Chief Superintendent, Chris Endeley gave testimony as the third witness, subpoenaed by the court at the instance of the1st and 2nd defendants as DW3.

The police detective who works with the department of criminal investigation and intelligence department of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, at the instance of the State on the allegation of forgery leveled against Pastor Umo Eno, had conducted investigations into the allegations of criminal forgery preferred against the PDP governorship candidate.

His documents which include the result of his investigations such as the certified true copy of a letter written to the state police command by WAEC, and the witness statement on oath were tendered in court as exhibits.

After being led in evidence by Defense Counsel Uwemedimo Nwoko,SAN, the Plaintiff’s Counsel Okey Amaechi,SAN was asked to cross examine the witness.

However Amaechi urged the court to kindly adjourn till next week as he wishes to attend a burial on Saturday in his village in Abia State.

“My lord, Abia State roads are not good like Akwa Ibom roads and I need to leave early to arrive before dark”, he pleaded at about 2:30pm.

The court granted his request and adjourned till Tuesday September 20, 2022 for cross examination of the third witness of the 1st and 2nd defendants.

Earlier the first subpoenaed witness for the defense team, Barr Emmanuel Essien of the State Ministry of Justice, was in the witness box and presented letters of confirmation of WAEC certificates of Pastor Umo Eno, dated June 27, 2022 and addressed to the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State.

The two confirmation of results were that of May/June 1981 belonging to 2nd Defendant and that of December 1983.

The counsel to the Plaintiff reserved objections to the documents being tendered while the Counsel to INEC raised no objection.

The court admitted the confirmation of results from WAEC tendered by DW1 as Exhibits D2 and D3.

The court had earlier adjourned sitting for 30 minutes to enable the the court issue a Subpoena Ducestecum for the witnesses of the 1st and 2nd defendants.

Paul Usoro,SAN lead counsel for the first two defendants had noticed registry errors on the subpoena earlier issued and asked the court to correct it from Subpoena Attestificandum et Ducestacum ; to read Subpoena Ducestacum.

This was not objected by Counsel to the Plaintiff,Okey Amaechi, SAN.

An aspirant who lost in the 2023 PDP Governorship primaries in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Akan Okon has told a Federal High Court in Uyo that he does not know all the constitutional requirements that qualify one to contest as Governor in Nigeria.

Akan Okon was being cross examined on Wednesday by Chief Paul Usoro, SAN, counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, PDP and Pastor Umo Eno, who is the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in suit no FHC/UY/CS/110/2022 when he confessed that he didn’t know if voter’s cards were compulsory for aspirants seeking governorship positions in the country.

During the continuous hearing on the matter, the Court was further stirred when Mr. Akan Okon, who is challenging the emergence of the PDP Governorship Candidate Mr Umo Eno confessed that despite writing his West African Senior School Certificate Examination in 1981 in Itam Secondary School, Itu, he has not the faintest idea how many candidates wrote the examinations in the area along with him that year nor the number of examination centers in the area.

He owned up that it was not within his knowledge base to ascertain how many WAEC centers are located in Akwa Ibom State, let alone knowing the number of candidates within the State who took part in that examination.

Plaintiff was being drilled on his claims in Paragraph 8(a) of his Amended Statement of Claim and Amended Written Statement on Oath, where he alleged that the 2nd defendant was parading a forged 1981 certificate said to have been issued to him by WAEC at the Victory High School, Ikeja.

Under cross examination, the plaintiff told the court that he had no contact with any other candidate who wrote the examination in the Victory High School, Ikeja where the 2nd defendant wrote his examination and also had no idea how many people wrote the examination with him.

This, he said meant that he had not been able to see any certificate from any of the candidates who wrote the examinations along with Pastor Umo Eno at Ikeja and further told the court that despite claiming that the 2nd defendant forged the signature of the WAEC chairman and registrar in both his 1981 and 1983 certificates, he never knew the two principal officers of the examination body for those periods and had never been granted the privilege of seeing their original sample of results.

“As a student, it was not my duty to know the Chairman and Registrar of WAEC”, Mr Akan Okon quipped,
On his allegation that signatures on Pastor Umo Eno’s certificate are boldened and as such they are computer generated, the Plaintiff was asked if he knew the process of placing the signatures in his own certificate by the examination council, to which he lamented that he didn’t know and further said he also didn’t know how the principal officers placed the signatures on all other certificates of candidates who wrote examinations in 1981.

Despite being a law abiding citizen, Mr Akan Okon told the court he made no efforts to report the case of forgery.

Akan Okon’s legal team was led in court by Mr Okey Amaechi, SAN while Mr Emmanuel Eze, Esq, stood in for INEC, third defendant.

The court resumes for further hearing on Thursday.

A lawyer for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Eze Emmanuel has faulted claims by the defeated Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Akan Okon, that he has access to INEC’s data base, insisting that only through hacking could such be achieved.

Mr Eze made the assertion at the federal high court in Uyo, while cross examining the Plaintiff, Mr Okon as Counsel to the 3rd defendant in the suit no FHC/UY/CS/110/2022 against the PDP, its governorship candidate Pastor Umo Eno and INEC.

Akan Okon admitted his allegations in Paragraph 8b of his amended claim that the 2nd Defendant’s voter’s card was forged and was never issued by the 3rd defendant.

He also told the court in his oral evidence that he had access to the data base of the INEC and did not see the 2nd defendant’s voter’s card, hence his ability to confirm that Umo Eno’s voter’s card was printed by a roadside printer.

However when confronted by the Counsel to INEC, Mr Okon said the access to the data base of the commission he spoke about was limited access.

Mr Okon also confess to the court that he never applied to INEC for verification of the 2nd Defendant’s Voter’s card and that he also did not report the alleged voter’s card forgery which he had noticed since January 2022, to the police or any security agent.

The plaintiff also denied knowledge that the INEC Data Manager in Abuja is the only INEC personnel who can access the data base of the Commission whenever he is authorized.

“I put it to you that the only way you could have accessed the data base of the Commission is through hacking”, the INEC Counsel said, adding that the applicant therefore hacked the data base on the said date on April 24th, 2022.

Earlier on cross examination by counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Paul Usoro,SAN, the plaintiff had confessed that his allegation that Pastor Eno had not been duly registered as a voter by INEC, did not stem from any interaction with the elections body and that he never went to Nsit Ubium where the 2nd defendant’s polling unit is located at Ikot Ekpene Udo to confirm his suspicions before dragging him to court for forgery.

Akan Okon also confessed that throughout the period of the voter’s registration exercise in 2014, he confined himself to his local government in Itu and never went to Nsit Ubium or any other local government, neither did he know any of the INEC enumerators who operated in Nsit Ubium local government area.

The Plaintiff also awed the court when he said that he had no knowledge of all those who registered during the voter’s registration exercise in 2014 and also knew no other person who registered in Ikot Ekpene Udo where the 2nd defendant hails from.
He also told the court that he accessed the data base of INEC through the GOOGLE search engine to check the particulars of the 2nd defendant and that despite being friends with Pastor Umo Eno, he never discussed with him about legitimacy of the voter’s card.

The case was adjourned to Thursday September 15 when the defense counsel will commence defense.

… As court receives original copies of PDP Guber candidate

A federal high court in Uyo has adjourned sitting till Wednesday September 14,2022 for continuation of hearing in the suit FHC/UY/CS/110/2022, instituted by Akan Okon against the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Governorship Candidate of the party, Pastor Umo Eno and the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC.

The Plaintiff, Mr Akan Okon in his oral testimony told the court that despite not having any prior training on Forensic analyses and sciences, and despite not contacting the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, he had presumed that Mr Umo Eno’s documents submitted in photocopies to the PDP Screening panel were forged.

Akan who lost in the governorship primaries of the PDP on May 25,2022, is asking the court to disqualify Pastor Umo Eno over allegations of possession of forged credentials.

During the resumption of hearing on the case on Tuesday, Mr Akan Okon who was in the witness box as witness in chief, was confronted with all the allegations he raised in his amended motion on notice and statement on oath before the court.

Akan Okon had posited that all candidates writing West African School Certificate Examination in a given year have the same serial index numbers and that Umo Eno’s number in the 1981 certificate indicated 15520232 when every other certificate of all the candidates in 1981 began with 15.

When asked if he knew all the students that wrote examination in December 1983, he answered in the negative. He also admitted that he spoke to very few of those who wrote WASSC examination that year.

He claimed he saw a result of a candidate who wrote in Ikeja and gave the name as Akan Bassey but confessed he never sent the said Akan Bassey’s results to a forensic expert to analyse, neither could he remember the candidate’s center. He also admits that he never made any contact with the school he alleged Umo Eno forged its certificate.

Akan linked this assumption with his banking experience and told the court that all bank notes of same year carry the same index serial numbers. He was however dumbfounded when two five hundred naira notes produced by the CBN within the same year where displayed before him and he admitted that the serial numbers were completely different.

Mild drama ensued when the court was urged to stand down for one hour to enable Mr. Akan Okon produce the contacts of one Ademola Alakija who he claims is the leader of a group, Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, AADN, and another Victor Anwana who he claims introduced him to Mr Alakija in April 2022.

Akan had told the court that he did not have to contact WAEC to authenticate the veracity of Pastor Umo Eno’s certificates as he did so indirectly through the group and he was relying on the letter written to the AADN by WAEC which confirms that Umo Eno has faked WAEC Certificates.

The court however erupted in laughter when Akan told the court that he was not sure if the Alakija was still alive since he last had interaction with him in April. He also told the court that his phone that contained such phone numbers are at home and not with him in court.

He further told the court that he does not belong to the group and has no copy of the letter the group purportedly wrote to WAEC. In his oral evidence Akan pleaded that the phone contacts or address of the AADN which he used to gain access to WAEC, is at home and he needs 30 minutes to get them, but his counsel, Okey Amaechi opposed the request.

Despite the opposition by his counsel on the additional information on the group demanded by the counsel to the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Paul Usoro, SAN, the court ruled that the plaintiff be given one hour to go and he the needed additional information to aid the case.

When the court resumed sitting later in the day, Akan Okon gave the address of the alleged NGO,Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, as Unic Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja, adding that he had no further details on the actual location of the office in Abuja and the second address in Lagos.

Akan also told the court that he only got a photocopy of WAEC’s purported disclaimer letter from the group through his email and that he had never had physical contact with any member of the group.

He further supplied the number of the head of the group , Ademola Alakija as 08187439287 and the Secretary, Sunny Ekanem as 08039497450 but insists he has never met them in person. He says his friend one Victor Anwana who linked him up with the group is a staff of the National Intelligence Agency.

Akan Okon had earlier confessed before the court that he has never acquired any skill in forensic science and as such he was not an expert in forensic analysis, and gave the court an overview of all his working experiences cutting across several banks from 1987 until he left First Inland Bank to join a firm known as Fantitix Investments Ltd.

His witness Chief Reginald Udunze had stated yesterday that he was contacted by Akan Okon’s lawyers to carry out forensic investigations of Pastor Umo Eno’s credentials on August 25th 2022, whereas the case had been instituted since June 5, 2022 by Akan Okon without the prompting of a forensic science expert.

When asked by the defense counsel how he established that the certificate of 1983 was forged when he had admitted that he is not a forensic scientist, Akan Okon told the court he was able to see it with his eyes that the signatures were fake and different from all other signatures on WAEC certificates of same year.

He was later heard by the court confessing that he had access to only few certificates of 1983 WAEC candidates.

The defense counsel had earlier produced the original 1981 and 1983 WAEC certificates of Pastor Umo Eno to Akan Okon and his counsel and the two examination certificates were admitted in court as exhibits.

Among his contradictions in court was that he never contacted the school that he claimed Umo Eno never attended and never contacted WAEC to find out if his claims had roots.

He also denied knowing roadside printer that he claimed had printed a fake voter’s card to the 2nd Defendant and denied working with INEC to authenticate if the voter’s card was indeed fake.

The case resumes Wednesday with further cross examination of the claimant, while the Defense team is expected to commence its case tomorrow.

The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo will today dock the defeated Governorship aspirant Mr Akan Ekpe Okon of the Peoples Democratic Party as the Court is set to begin accelerated hearing on the suit brought before it.

Akan Okon, a former commissioner for Economic Development who is challenging the eligibility of Pastor Umo Eno, Governorship candidate of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State,
had told the Federal High Court that he will rely on the testimony of a contentious Professor, Jideoni Charles, who was disowned by the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, when he paraded himself as both a “Professor of English and a Professor of Graphognomy”, until the University denounced and disowned him in 2019.

He also noted that he will refer to a letter purportedly issued by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, to a group known as Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, to prosecute his case.

In his amended motion on notice in the case FHC/UY/CS/110/2022, admitted in the court by Justice A. A. Okeke, Mr Okon listed Prof Jideoni as one of the subpoenaed expert witnesses to testify in his case.

The Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, had previously disowned Jideoni as a fraudulent character who was neither a lecturer or professor in the university, in the past or present.

OAU in a statement through Abiodun Olanrewaju its Director of Public Relations had said that , “Having gone through our records, nobody bears that name, whether a male or a female. We do not have a record of anybody with that name who is teaching or has taught in this institution.

The ‘Prof’ who is also a candidate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC was first arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi in September 2019, for allegedly obtaining money under false pretense and engaging in advanced fee fraud.

He is listed by Akan Okon, alongside one Chief Reginald Udunze as his expert witnesses.

Among other things Akan Okon is requesting for, is the letter purportedly from WAEC, by one T. A. Ademola, to the President of a group known as Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, AADN.

The court however ruled that both parties use 10days for statement of defense to the amended motion and the subsequent reply, and adjourned the case till today for accelerated hearing.

"Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration has cleared outstanding Gratuities and has paid Salaries and pensions of workers and pensioners as at when due".

The special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Revd. Richard Peters stated this while putting up defense for his Boss whose administration is alleged to be owing backlog of Gratuities and pension in a Radio program monitored by our Correspondent in Uyo yesterday.

The programme which was aired by one of the private Radio stations in their phone in session with some youths of an opposing political party was dissecting the Governor's 7years administration when the Special Assistant to Governor Emmanuel on Media called in to put the records straight.

According to him "Do you people know that Governor Udom Emmanuel upon assumption of duty as the State Chief Executive cleared 10 years backlog of gratuity from 2001 to 2011? Retirees from 2012 to date have been getting their gratuity in batches. It is on record that Akwa Ibom State doesn't owe salaries or pension, as workers and pensioners are paid as at when due.

"I think that it is a disservice and injurious to this State for people to sit on the studio to spread falshood, I maybe forced to believe that this programme is politically sponsored to malign the hard earned reputation of this governmenton, I'll urge you to desist from such actions".

"Governor Udom Emmanuel is one man that has really shown capacity and passion for service without making noise".

Revd Peters further highlighted that the Governor has been paying Retirees from from 2012 in batches calling on those in doubt to visit the office of the state Accountant general for proper and realistic information.

He opined that the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel has remained transparent in managing the finances of the state stressing that all Retirees who are cleared for pension do have their names pasted regularly at the notice board of the Accountant general"s office.

" It is on record and also a public knowledge that the governor recently approved billions of naira to clear Gratuities of Retirees, so what you are spewing on air are lies against the government. This falsehood must stop. I know the elections are here but you should have concentrate in marketing your candidate rather than de marketing a leader with enviable and remarkable achievements".

Revd Peters quickly added that the Governor will never be distracted by the litany of lies manufactured daily by opponents stressing that he will remain focus in ensuring prompt and quality delivery of democracy dividends.

He continued " The Udom Emmanuel administration against the poor economy and dwindling allocations has not only paid Salaries Pensions and Gratuities but also turned the entire state to construction site with quality roads been churned out daily. He has also ensured Agricultural revolution and food sufficiency, empowerment of youths and construction and upgrading of hospitals and health facilities across the State among many other achievements, all these achievements have chains of beneficiaries especially the youths".

" I think Akwa ibom people know the truth so I will advise you people to stop inciting the people against the government. The governor deserve some respect and these sponsored blackmail should stop henceforth. Gov Emmanuel's milestones are visible and eye marked" He added.

Tony Anichebe, Uyo

... YPP CHAIRMAN FAILS TO PROVE LEGITIMACY OF HOLDING TWO POSITIONS

The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo on Friday continued hearing on the suit challenging the eligibility of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan to fly the Young Progressives Party’s YPP Governorship ticket.

The matter came before Honourable Justice A. A. Okeke for trial after the Court on the 5th of September 2022 ordered parties to file pleadings on the matter.

The Plaintiff, Alexander Asuquo who was in Court was represented by N. C. Ikono.

Nyeneime Andy and YPP (The 1st and 2nd Defendants) were represented by C. N. Wigwe and E. N. Akpabio while Senator Bassey Albert ( 3rd Defendant) was represented by five (5) lawyers led by Ime Asanga, Esq.

The Plaintiff who gave evidence that the 2nd Defendant, Dr Nyeneime Andy used his position as the state chairman of the party to block him from participating in the nomination process tendered eleven (11) exhibits before the Court.

The Court was informed that Dr. Nyeneime Andy insisted on him building a party secretariat in his local government area before he could be allowed to purchase Governorship nomination form.

When it was time for Dr. Andy to testify, he admitted on cross examination that he contested the primary while still the chairman of the party without resigning.

When asked whether he can validly take part in a primary without resignation, he said the constitution of the party permits him to do so.

When asked to show which part of the constitution of the party allows him to do, Andy began to sweat in the witness box and looked at his lawyers for help.

Dr. Andy's lawyer's objection to the question was overruled by the Court which insisted that he must answer the question.

The Court cautioned Apostle Andy's lawyer from unnecessary interruption of the proceedings with irrelevant objections while Apostle Andy fretted in the witness box because he could not find any such provisions in the party’s constitution.

Also, when asked at what point he decided to join the guber race, he told the Court that it was sometime in March 2022.

Asked when he realized that he was no longer interested in the race, he said he realized that he has no money to continue in the contest and decided to voluntarily withdraw from the race.

This testimony by Dr. Andy shows how dishonest the self acclaimed man of God is.

It could be recalled that he had during the declaration of Sen. Bassey Albert informed the public that his withdrawal for OBA was because the senator had previously withdrawn for others.

This contradicts his evidence before the Court and goes a long way to reveal that the game plan had always been to reserve the ticket for OBA.

Sen. Bassey Albert was conspicuously absent as his testimony was given by the state secretary of state party, he Mr. Kelvin Umoh. During cross examination, the witness however admitted that everything he said before the court are hearsay as he is not Bassey Albert who is sued as a 3rd Defendant in the Court.

The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to 19th September 2022 for adoption of final written addresses.

Several of his supporters who were in court have expressed fear that the case could stop the Senator after he had previously failed to secure the ticket in PDP.

A total of 220 business owners in Akwa Ibom State have benefited from the Pastor Umo Eno business support scheme in Uyo the state capital.

Recall that the State PDP Governorship candidate, Pastor Eno had promised to support the Akwa Ibom business community, during its investment submit last month at Ibom Hall, Uyo.

At the One Day Mentorship and Cheque presentation exercise held in Uyo on Tuesday, Pastor Eno represented by the Board of Trustees chairman of the Community, Senator Alloy Etok, charged the beneficiaries to strive towards excellence in their businesses.

He cited instances where people rose to become big entrepreneurs, through diligence and hardwork in their careers.

He assured the members of the business committee that the scheme will be sustained by Pastor Eno, who is a sterling example of a business man who started small.

The President of the forum, Lordwill Umani thanked the PDP Gubernatorial candidate for keeping faith with the business community through the business support package and believed that the subsequent schemes would benefit more people.

Beneficiaries, through their representative Owen Philip thanked Pastor Umo Eno and the group for finding them worthy of the pioneer business support scheme and promised to make judicious use of the facility.

Highpoints of the occasion was presentation of Cheques to the beneficiaries drawn from all parts of the State.

By Eld. Emmanuel Udosen

Recall that shortly after the PDP primaries in Akwa Ibom State, one of the failed aspirants, Mr. Akan Okon, told his supporters that he has uncovered a certificate forgery case by the successful aspirant,and candidate of the PDP in the state. Before his think tank committee, if any, could settle down to verify the facts, he had instituted an action in court and launched a media attack on the person of Pst. Umo Eno.

So many unimaginable and unprintable invectives were poured on the character of the candidate in the social media while judgments were passed against him in the same media to the extent that some gullible and vulnerable members of the public concluded that the party had lost its chance of filing candidates in the election.

Investigation reveals that Mr. Akan Okon tends to pay more attention and reposes more confidence in this plaza jurists than he does to the pending case in the Federal High Court, Uyo. He is alleged to have voted good sums of money which he couldn't spend to do a pre-primary consultations on the Uyo plaza jurists before realizing that the Evidence Act 2011 places a high burden of proof of his allegations on him; and that the defendants may only be called upon to make their defence after he has discharged that burden.

When it finally dawned on Akan Okon that he had set his hands to the ploughing, and a dangerous one for that, he got up and started engaging quacks to scavenge for tissues of evidence in support of his claims.

His first exploration led him to a bunch of fraudsters in Lagos, where he compromised some hungry Nigerians to clone a letterhead and do a letter purporting to be issued by one Mr. T. A. Ademola wherein a disclaimer over Umo Eno's WAEC Certificates were made.
His media urchins in both the Mail Newspaper and Sahara Reporters Newspapers carried the vibes about how Pst. Umo Eno has already been disqualified and the PDP scouting for a replacement. But when the WAEC Headquarters rose to the challenge and denied having any staff by such name, Okon's ploy fizzled out but not without casualties both at WAEC branch office and the Mail newspapers.

Next ploy was to engage a quack forensic expert in the person of one "Prof." Jideoni Charles who in turn approached a popular and real forensic expert, Prof. Michael Nwokolo, (trust Nigeria Police) to underwrite his report by endorsing same without verifying the facts. Reports have it that the fake forensic expert has had previous dealings with the real expert wherein he touts for clients for the Retired Superintendent of Police. Further reports indicate that they first met themselves when the retired officer was still in service and was investigating a crime which involved the fake "Prof." Charles, but which somehow, he maneuvered the process and got him out of the hook.

The acclaimed forensic report sponsored and sought to be relied upon by Akan Okon sparked media investigations which in turn opened a Can of Worms against the duo. Since then, both have avoided the camera and have also expressed unwillingness to face cross examination in court, much like the APC/Tinubu's hired Bishops, (I guess you still remember).

In further demonstration of his desperation and ignoramus, Akan Okon is said to have hired another specialist; this time a signature/handwriting analyst named *Mr. Reginald Udunze* whom he says is able to analyze the signatures on Pst. Umo Eno's certificates and "confirmed" them to be forged. His plans is to file in this witness as an expert opinion to counter any evidence from the WAEC Registrar to the effect that they issued the certificates.
Although this is left for the court to decide the weight to attach to the various evidences, I stand to wonder how any slight variation in signature can invalidate a document duly issued and confirmed by an authorized institution.

I have a signature (I guess you too) and I can jolly tell you that signing same signature ten times, it can never remain the same in virtually all ramifications without the slightest variations. Compare when someone has to sign hundreds and thousands of documents at different times, and a "signature/handwriting expert" claims he has spotted some differences. Not a big deal! I don't need to be an expert to spot same, even in my signatures. What an evidence!

As if that wasn't enough troubles for the Akan Okon, he now sought to amend his claim to enable him bring in new "facts" from his recent discoveries. Guess what the new discoveries are?

"That the authority of the University of Uyo has released documents showing that Pst. Umo Eno gave his date of birth as 24/4/1961 instead of 24/4/1964". This is against an earlier Ibom Plaza jury's verdict that Pst. Umo Eno did not attend any school or graduate from the University of Uyo at all. Pending completion of our findings, it is possible that some chaps have smuggled out documents and doctored same to suit Akan Okon's purpose. The expectation and earnest prayer of the desperate claimant is that the University strike should continue up to 12/9/2022 when the case is adjourned so that he can ask for further adjournment on ground of his witness not being at work.

Meanwhile, plans are also rift to tender a medical report to excuse the quack Prof. Charles from attending court on health grounds.

Recall that the Obafemi Awolowo University had disowned Prof. Jideoni Charles as not being a product or a staff of the institution when he was involved in a case of Obtaining Money by False Pretence in 2019. The fake prof was paraded by the EFCC and is currently standing trial before Justice Nicholas Oweibo in the Federal High court of Lagos state. His claimed professorship is also under serious scrutiny as he has laid claim to many other specialties including being a Witch Doctor. Check out his Facebook profile for details of his claims:

“Doctrinal Head, The Universal Philosophers' New-World, Author, 'The Universal Natural Laws', and Originator & CEO, JC WEALTHY GENERATION CONCEPTS, Consultant Numerologist, Graphoanalyst and Palm Reader expert, Originator, Onigraffiks writting (sic) system”, etc.

It is reasonably suspected that a number of the Ibom Plaza Jurists also possess equivalent qualifications; now is the time to identify their syndicates in the ranks of the University of Uyo staff.

It was a colourful show of appreciation on Wednesday, as the people of Etoi in Uyo Local Government Area gathered at the St. Dominic Primary School, Uyo, to thank Governor Udom Emmanuel for the his developmental strides in the area.

The well-attended event hosted by the Member representing Uyo State Constituency, Hon. Anietie Eka, afforded the people to celebrate and commend the Governor particularly for the construction of the Anua-Mbak-Ishiet Road in Etoi Clan and other projects in Uyo LGA.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Anietie Eka lauded the State Chief Executive for placing premium on the welfare of his constituents through the construction of the Anua-Mbak-Ishiet Road which he said has eased the sufferings of residents, commuters and traders.

"Today we celebrate a peaceful and passionate Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. We are celebrating the Governor because for the first time since creation, we've had a tarred road that cuts across Mbak, Mbak Ikot Ebo, Mbak Ikot Abasi, Mbak Akpan Ekpenyong and the rest of them. For so many years, we agitated for the construction of the road but when Governor Udom Emmanuel came, he saw the need to construct the road. May God bless Governor Udom Emmanuel", he said.

Eka promised that Etoi and by extension, Uyo LGA will support the Governor's succession plan through Pastor Umo Eno in the 2023 general elections.

"The people of Etoi are gathered here to endorse you (Pastor Umo Eno). We have gathered here to inform you that as far as 2023 election is concerned, Etoi people will come out enmasse and vote you. The people of Etoi have always been known to be very proactive people when it comes to politics. The people you have seen here are steadfast PDP people. We will deliver. We will stand by you", he added.

In his remarks, Governor Udom Emmanuel said the construction of the Anua-Mbak-Ishiet Road signaled the beginning of more quality and life-transforming projects for the people.

He appreciated the stakeholders, men, women and youths of Etoi for their support and urged them to remain steadfast with the PDP.

Goodwill messages were received from the Political Leader of Uyo LGA, Otuekong Enobong Uwah, Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr. Charles Udoh and his Counterpart in Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Akpan, Chairman, Uyo LGA, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo and PDP Candidate for Uyo State Constituency, Mr. Uwemedimo Asuquo.

Others included the Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Reorientation, Mr Ekpeno Gold, former Board Member, Akwa Ibom Water Board Company, Mr. Donatus Udoh and Etoi Clan Youth Leader, Sir Wiker Jackson.

They all pledged their total support to Governor Emmanuel's completion agenda and Pastor Umo Eno's gubernatorial aspiration.

The event which featured rich cultural displays and presentation of a new vehicle to the Clan Head of Etoi, was also graced by Aides to the Governor, serving and past government officials, the Clergy, Royal Fathers, as well as uniform groups.

Defeated Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Akan Okon has told the Federal High court sitting in Uyo, that he will rely on the testimony of a contentious Professor, Jideoni Charles, who was disowned by the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, when he paraded himself as both a “Professor of English and a Professor of Graphognomy”, until the University denounced and disowned him in 2019.



Akan Okon, a former commissioner for Economic Development who is challenging the eligibility of Pastor Umo Eno, Governorship candidate of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, said he will also refer to a letter purportedly issued by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, to a group known as Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, in his case.

In his amended motion on notice in the case FHC/UY/CS/110/2022, admitted in the court by Justice A. A. Okeke, Mr Okon listed Prof Jideoni as one of the subpoenaed expert witnesses to testify in his case.

The Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, had previously disowned Jideoni as a fraudulent character who was neither a lecturer or professor in the university, in the past or present.

OAU in a statement through Abiodun Olanrewaju its Director of Public Relations had said that , “Having gone through our records, nobody bears that name, whether a male or a female. We do not have a record of anybody with that name who is teaching or has taught in this institution.

The ‘Prof’ who is also a candidate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC was first arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi in September 2019, for allegedly obtaining money under false pretense and engaging in advanced fee fraud.

He is listed by Akan Okon, alongside one Chief Reginald Udunze as his expert witnesses.

Among other things Akan Okon is requesting for, is the letter purportedly from WAEC, by one T. A. Ademola, to the President of a group known as Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria, AADN.


Reacting to the motion which they failed to oppose, Paul Usoroh, SAN, counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants sought the leave of the court to file a statement of defense the next day if the court would permit, citing a medical appointment he had next week.

Harping on the need to expeditiously dispense on the case, the defense counsel suggested that the plaintiff responded to the defense statement the next day and also go ahead with the opening of the case.

However, this was countered by the counsel to the plaintiff, Okey Amaechi,SAN who insisted he will need more time for response when the defense statement to his amended motion on notice, is made.

The court however ruled that both parties use 10days for statement of defense to the amended motion and the subsequent reply, and adjourned the case till September 12,2022 for accelerated hearing.

To break the jinx of politically induced violence in Ikono/Ini Local Government Areas, Dr. Glory Edet makes youth inclusion a priority in most of her activities. She understands the frustrations that result in strife and applies the tool of consistent consultation with youth stakeholders. Like a balm massaging the hurting bones, word of a woman seasoned with the salt of wisdom, sincerity and practical demonstration of inclusiveness has healed many young men who before now thought the only currency they can trade with for recognition and relevance was violence.

Today's young men in Ini and Ikono are repositioned. They are periodically empowered through scholarship, seed grants for businesses, craftsmanship, and others exposed to leadership responsibilities at different rungs.

She is never a practitioner of election season "empowerment", which is deceptive. Her generosity is in and out of season.

This is her trademark. She is poised to replicating and sustaining same as Ikono/Ini Representative in the National Assembly.

The fact speaks for itself.

Think Dr Glory Edet
Think Ikono/Ini
Think PDP

PRESS RELEASE

Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital will from Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th September, 2022 play host to a 3-day capacity building conference, aimed at inspiring young minds from across the 31 local government areas of the State and steering them to greatness.

The event which is tagged; 'MINDSHIFT' seeks to engage and inspire our youths to embrace the enterprise culture for a better society and help them acquire the requisite knowledge,skills and aptitude needed to rise to the challenge of the present economic and businessdynamics. It is also a platform for subject-matter experts and seasoned professionals from within and outside Nigeria to share their fountain of knowledge and experience with our youths.

Speakers at the 3-day conference which holds from 8:00 a.m. daily at Ibom Hall, Uyo include, Bishop Wayne,, Apostle Achudume, Dr. Ekaette Umo, Pastor Umo Eno, Dr. Abel Damina, Ms Rose Umoh, Professor Vincent Onigbugu, and Rev Emmanuel Olumide among others.

Ibom Ignite Youth Conference is organized by THE GATHERING; which is a platform to inspire the next generation of youth by igniting their passion, unfolding the limitless opportunities in our nation and helping them create tomorrow's future today in order to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit in our youths so as to make them self-sufficient and employers of labor.

Participation is strictly by registration. Please visit www.thegathering.ng to register or call 0903 374 2534 for enquiries.
Join the TheGathering; be ignited.

August 30, 2022
Signed:
IMO-ABASI JACOB SNR
(Chairman – Central Planning Committee, IbomIgnite 2022)
On behalf of TheGathering

…BASSEY ALBERT FLOODS COURT WITH 8 LAWYERS, LOSES BID TO EXTEND TIME

The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo,Tuesday adjourned for judgement after hearing a suit challenging the candidature of Senator Bassey Albert of the Young Progressives Party YPP.

The court has turned down the motion for time extension by Senator Bassey Albert on technical grounds.

A lawyer, Alexander Asuquo had dragged Senator Bassey Albert to court over alleged attempt to inherit the Young Progressives Party ticket from the Pastor Nyenime Andy.

When the matter came before Justice A. A. Okeke for hearing of the substantive suit together with all the pending applications, the Plaintiff Alexander Asuquo appeared in person with N. C. Ikono.

The 1st and 2nd Defendants (Nyenimeh Andy and Young Progressives Party YPP) were represented by C. N. Wigwe and E. N. Akpabio while the 3rd Defendant Senator Bassey Albert was represented by eight ( lawyers led by Ime Asanga, Esq and Barr. Jerry Akpan.

When the Plaintiff Alexander Asuquo announced appearance with N. C. Ikono Esq, counsel to the 3rd Defendant, Barr. Jerry Akpan tried to object to the appearance of the Plaintiff with another lawyer.

The Court shut him down stating that the Plaintiff can appear for himself in company of other lawyers.

Drama however ensued after the 1st and 2nd Defendants attempted to move their motion for extension of time but were intercepted by the Plaintiff who informed the Court that Nyenimeh Andy and YPP were yet to show evidence of payment of penalty after filing outside the window allowed by the rules of the Court.

Despite the plea by the 1st and 2nd Defendants' lawyer that the Court should allow them move the motion first, the Court turned them down and insisted that they must show proof that they have paid the penalty to validate their processes.

The matter was consequently stood down to allow the Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants to do the needful. It took almost an hour before the Bassey Alberts lawyer came up with a proof of payment. The Plaintiff told the court that he would not raise any issue on that again so that the matter will be determined expeditiously.

The court resisted all moves by the parties and insisted on completing the hearing and adoption of processes.

The Court thereafter reserved the judgment till a further date that will be communicated to the parties.

Mr Alexander Asuquo is joining the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Pastor Nyenime Andy, Senator Bassey Albert and the Independent National Electoral Commission, as defendants.

The plaintiff is seeking judicial answers to questions bordering on whether the state chairman of the party can validly use his position as the chairman of the party to preserve and reserve the gubernatorial ticket of the party to Sen. Bassey Albert (3rd Defendant) who was already nominated under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

…WE DON’T WANT FURTHER DELAYS IN THIS TRIAL – UMO ENO’S LAWYERS

A federal high court in Uyo has adjourned till Wednesday, August 31, 2022 for hearing in the case of forgery, suit FHC/UY/CS/110/2022, brought before it by the defeated Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Akan Okon against the Peoples Democratic Party, its Governorship Candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

This follows a motion on notice filed by Mr Akan Okon for the amendment of the originating processes he filed against the PDP Governorship Candidate, Pastor Umo Eno.

Akan Okon was expected in the witness box to testify in his case, but in a motion dated today, 29/8/22, sought the leave of the court to amend his originating processes in the suit, including his writ of summons, statement of claims, written statement on oath, list of documents and list of witnesses.

Mr Okon also brought a new lawer, Okey Amaechi,SAN to lead in the case ahead of Uche Awa, SAN who had been in the saddle before now.

During its last sitting, the Court had dismissed an application by a governorship aspirant in the May 25, 2022 PDP primaries, Mr Aniekan Akan Etim, describing it as lacking merit.

Justice Agatha Okeke in her ruling had yielded to the submissions of the plaintiffs and the 1st and 2nd defendants to dismiss the application by Mr Etim.

The court described Mr Aniekan Etim as a meddlesome interloper and a 'busybody'.

When the court re-opened for sitting on Monday, 29 August 2022, the plaintiff Mr Akan Okon who was expected to commence his case with a testimony in the court, however pleaded to file an amendment to his earlier motion, supported by an affidavit dated same day.

Counsel to the Plaintiff, Okey Amaechi, SAN, who filed the motion also pleaded with the Court to grant him leave to amend his earlier reply to the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ Statement of Defence and all accompanying processes.

Reacting to this, council to the 1st and 2nd Respondents, Paul Usoro,SAN reasoned that having just been served with the fresh amended processes, he would study them before responding.

Earlier, the court had adjourned for over two hours, after Mr Etim Akan had appeared before it with another motion for stay of proceedings, pending the outcome of his appeal at the appellate court challenging the lower court’s refusal to join him in the case as a defendant.

The court however dismissed it, saying there is no pending appeal at the Court of Appeal by the applicant.

Counsel to the Defendants, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN told journalists after the proceedings that they wanted to take time to study the new processes introduced by the plaintiff and that they have no problem with the amendments.

“All we want is an expedited dispensation of the case and we want to make sure that the document they brought today, does not contain anything that will stall the speedy completion of this trial”, Nwoko stated.