₦airaland Forum

EXCITEMENTS AS GOVERNOR EMMANUEL INAUGURATES RING ROAD 2, OTHER ROADS IN AKWA IBOM

As Governor Udom Emmanuel gets set to inaugurate more road in Akwa Ibom State, beginning tomorrow with Ring Road 2 in Uyo, residents and commuters at the newly constructed RingRoad 2 and Afaha Iman /Ekpene Obom Road at Etinan Local Government Area have commended the Governor for constructing roads traversing their localities.

The Ekpene Obom road which leads to the Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital in the area is a 3.5km road project while the RingRoad 2 is a 3.5km, dual carriage expressway with walkway median and street lightings.

The Ring Road 2 project is to be inaugurated on Friday by Governor Udom Emmanuel while the Ekpene Obom road project is billed for inauguration next Tuesday.

Conducting Journalists around the project locations, Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr Essien Ndueso said Governor Udom Emmanuel is living up to his promise of delivering massive dividends of democracy to the people of Akwa Ibom State until the last day of his tenure in office.

He explained that the Governor's promise to ensure easy assess to basic healthcare services in the state and opening up of rural communities for economic activities informed the new expressway to the ancient Leprosy Hospital in Ekpene Ibom constructed in the last decade of the 19th century.

He maintained that the road has also opened up neighboring communities around Ekpene Obom and also given life to the economic and natural resources of the area and its environs.

Speaking at the Ring Road II project, the contractor, Engineer Uwem Okoko expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for providing indigenous contractors with the opportunity to handle major roads projects.

The RingRoad which connects Aka Road axis of Udo Udoma Avenue with Olusegun Obasanjo Way, has a drainage which is 3.3km and 5m deep, and empties into the main canal of the IBB Road drainage system.

Several indigenes of Etinan, including Godwin Inyang Ufot a youth leader in Afaha Iman, Etinan and Nsisong Usoro, a youth activist from Ikot Abasi said their people were very grateful to the Governor for responding positively to their years of prayers and cries.

Other roads marked for inauguration this period by the Governor, include the 23km Eket - Etinan Road, the 20km link roads at Ukanafun and the 19km road and spurs linking Anua in Uyo with Mbak -Ishiet in Uruan local government area.

AKWA IBOM GUBER POLLS MEETS INTERNATIONAL ELECTORAL STANDARDS
– FOREIGN OBSERVERS COMMEND INEC


International election observers under the aegis of Pan African Women Projects, have stated that the March 18, 2023 governorship and state house of assembly elections held in Akwa Ibom state have met the international commendations of free, transparent, and peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

They made this statement at a press conference held on the 21st of March, 2023 in Uyo with the theme, “Strengthening Democracy”.

The Pan African Women Projects which is an international non-governmental organisation comprised of women from all 54 countries in Africa has observed several elections in over 15 African countries including Nigeria.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Uyo on Tuesday, the non-governmental organisation said it deployed over 150 trained elections observers to the 31 local government areas, and made their observations and submissions in the areas of logistics, INEC ad-hoc staff, turnout of voters, security, vote-buying/lobbying, technology (BIVAS), etc.

The organisation’s spokesperson, Ms. Candice Solomon at the press conference commended the Independent Electoral Commission, citizens of Akwa Ibom, and security personnel for organising a free, transparent and peaceful election which prompted them to adjudge it as having met international standards.

“We use this medium to appreciate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the opportunity to serve in this election as one of the accredited FOREIGN OBSERVER GROUPS.

“We want to sincerely and greatly appreciate Professor Mahmud Yakubu and the entire department of gender and inclusivity of the commission, especially for the unwavering supports that made our work very easy.

“We also appreciate the various security agencies that worked tirelessly to ensure our safety by providing all the intelligence and protection needed to carry out our onerous duties.

“The 18th March 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in Akwa Ibom State meets International commendations of a free, transparent and peaceful conduct of electoral process.”

The observers however called on security agents to “address all security lapses in the 2023 election and employ more personnel into the system to improve on a more effective security network during elections in Nigeria.”

They also noted general low turnout of voters in the exercise and submitted that “INEC’s performance at the Presidential elections especially as results were seen not to be transmitted to the IREV across the State had altered people’s trust in the electoral system.

Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won the Governorship elections ahead of Senator Bassey Albert and Mr Akan Udofia of the YPP and APC respectively.

THERE IS NO SINGLE LEGAL DISPUTE AGAINST PASTOR UMO ENO AS PDP GUBER CANDIDATE
- NWOKO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Revealed!!! How Akpabio rigged out labour party in favor of APC in Akwa Ibom North West



Investigations have revealed how Senator Godswill Akpabio, the senator-Elect of the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district, rigged out the Labour Party to win his senatorial election and the presidential ambition of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his district.


The All Progressives Congress, APC got over One Hundred Thousand (100, 000) votes to defeat candidates of other political parties in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district even as the total number of accredited voters was only Fifty Thousand (50,000), a situation which has remained inexplicable to observers.


An insider source in Akpabio's camp has revealed that prior to February 25 elections, Akpabio hired some ICT experts whom he housed at his Ukana residence with the sole aim of manipulating the figures in his favour and that of the party's presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu who is now the president elect in
Nigeria.

The source who did not want his name in print said Akpabio believing that 'what money can not do, more money can do,' allegedly promised to pay them Fifty Million Naira if they successfully execute the plan even as he was said to have transferred the sum of Ten Million Naira to two beneficiary accounts of Zenith and Polaris banks respectively they were provided.


Trouble however started at the Airport when the team having delivered on their hatchet job was denied the balance of the agreed money as Akpabio claimed that his driver who conveyed the team to the airport would give them the balance, unfortunately, the driver said nothing was given to him.


According to our source, "There was a mild drama at the airport when Akpabio's driver dropped those boys as they did not get the balance of their money. It took the intervention of the security personnel at the airport to temporarily settle the matter to avoid creating scene at the airport.


Meanwhile, Senator Akpabio had vowed to deliver his party at all cost in the next governorship poll in the state by ensuring that Akan Udofia appears on the ballot before March 11, through the instrumentality of Supreme Court Judges who are seen as Tinubu boys.

Akpabio who sees himself as the political god in Akwa Ibom and has the powers to install any person of his choice was heard to be saying: "Did you not see how I pursued Udoedehe out of APC? did you not see how I suppressed Umana Umana? if I want him sacked as the Minister, I can do that.


"Did you not see how I pursued Nsima Ekere and how I silenced the Ibibios? Non of them can challenge me. I am the only person that determines who governs Akwa Ibom state. Have you not seen how I fought Ita Enang to a standstill? the only thing he can do and known for is to go to the radio and rant."

However, Akwa Ibom people have expressed displeasure over Akpabio's excesses and manipulative tendencies even as a good number of them expressed reservation over his choice of candidacy who is Akanimo Udofia.

According to an indigene of the state, Andrew Okon, qualities that should be looked out for in every governor which are competence, capacity, character are lacking in Akan Udofia.

He said, "Whoever that wants to be a governor of a state should be a man of competence, character and ability to manage his private and public life. But the man Akpabio is forcing on us lacks these virtues.


"A man whose wife left due to his amorous lifestyle and battery behaviour? We have heard stories where a governor will be fighting his deputy, a governor fighting his appointees, it's very appalling, we have to avoid this so that we will not be a laughing stock to other states."

Another indigene Ephraim Bassey queried, "have you listened to Udofia speak? He speaks like someone in kindergarten, as if he was being coached on what to say. so it is embarrassing and we are trying to avoid such scenario in Akwa Ibom State. Apart from his bullying attitude. This man does not make a good presentation. He does not have convincing statements as if someone compelled him to talk.


"Who has dubious character of bullying his staff and beating his wife. it will be disastrous to have such kind of person in the state that one will not freely identify himself as Akwa Ibomite because the spirit and pride will be dampened.

PRESIDENTIAL, NATL. ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS APPEALS WILL FOLLOW RULE OF LAW - Gov. Emmanuel

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has sued for calm over the recent lawsuit credited to six Nigerian states against the Federal Government seeking cancellation of the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections currently before the Supreme court.

Speaking to Government House Correspondents today at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Governor Emmanuel stated the resolve of the state to operate within the ambience of the rule of law and to do nothing outside the provisions of the constitution.

He admonished the people of the state to remain calm, stressing that there was no cause for alarm and expressed confidence that the Attorney General of the six states namely Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta and Sokoto States are knowledgeable enough in matters of the law, and would further it to the extent that is allowed by law.

"I'm not a lawyer. I cannot speak authoritatively. The lawyers will know what to say about that. I think they will follow the right path. I think the six Attorneys General are talking to each other.

"These are people that I know abide by the rule of law. If it's not in line with the rule of law, that will be withdrawn immediately by the six Attorneys General because we must follow the rule of law," he stated.

Media Unit
Govt. House, Uyo
03/03/23

2023: AKAN UDOFIA, BASSEY ALBERT BICKER AS PRESSURE MOUNTS ON OBA STEP DOWN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human rights group demands police investigation into murder of OBA's aide, Isang





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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

BREAKING NEWS…

PDP DISOWNS MIKE ENYONG, FILES APPEAL AGAINST UYO LAWMAKER
…APPEAL COURT COMMENCES HEARING NEXT WEEK, FED HIGH COURT ADJOURNS TILL MARCH 15

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

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

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

Hearing on the appeal is expected to commence next week.

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

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

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

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

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

Court sacks Senator Bassey Albert for defecting to YPP

...declares seat vacant, fines embattled Senator N5Million

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE OBA ON A BROKEN BRIDGE - AN ODE

Emmanuel Nicholas

The spell of conviction has broken your bridge, you can no more walk to the river, nor return home to your family.
You become a Prince of tragedy, a cripple in the season of battle, a half-wit in days of wisdom and incapacitated in days when capacity is profound.

A man once full of courage, now helpless like a worm, projected for failure, when success seems the right choice. Harlots become your cheerleaders as virtuous women abscond from you in the face of shame.

You are fainthearted because of shame, the complexities of your thoughts made you to wonder if there will ever be a way out of this quack-mire.

You sighted the hilltop mansion from afar, you became Moses who saw the promised land, but his feet were halted by dead, a hundred miles away.

Criminal conviction has galvanized your glory as opium of shame, it chains you to the bridge foundation with fitters of iron. It led your soul to the mud and crumbled your mission as a broken rail.

Your bridge has been cut down and suddenly, your labour of many years has been ruined by your sins, you become restless as a pig without siblings and ancestors.

The goddess of conviction swore by their blood, never to let you go beyond the bridge, you become a mourner of your soul, while sobbing your tears as fine wine.
And weakness claims your flesh as the venom of a cobra.

You become a wanderer with your vision, your mission, become a nightmare right before you.
And your sudden woes takes away your peace.

"OH WHO BORN DOG!!! Where is your throne?

You once shone as an astonishing man of valour, but criminal conviction puts off your light from shining, see how your past is hunting your future. Mbom ye Ata Ata mbom, the shame of conviction has taken your glory.

You were running this race as a cat with nine lives, suddenly you lost your limbs to conviction, it has broken the bridge of your Track and cut down your hope.

Furthermore, you are now panting as a sick dog, weary and limping as an aged witch, your mission becomes a bridge of no return.

Not only that, but you are like a dead living-rat, you now faint all day and your energy become a faded force, see how your past have hunted your future to tatters

You now look like an expired bomb, gasping for oxygen to explode but like a cradle baby, you are without no speed to contest with this adult running.

Many may wonder—why have you been shot out of glory? Why have you been bashed as a cracked wall? Look into the heavens, you will find the answers.

God doesn't Give glory to those who qualify themselves, but he dashes it to those he qualifies for His use.

God doesn't make kings who are already kings in their deeds, but he makes for himself humble men kings to sit on his throne.

God loves to make for himself a king, and he caused those who wanted to be Kings to stumble on their path to the throne so that he can enthrone his meek elect.

Your conviction is not man made, this sort of things happened. Most times when men go against the tides of God. He will sweep them away with the stormy waters and drown them to the River bed, though their lives will never end.

The spanner on your wheels is Divine, to stop you from fighting God's plans. When He fulfills his plans, you will be left alone to face your woes.

Like a painful injection that goes down to the bone and marrow, you are now gnashing your teeth in pains and agony, though I sympathize with you, I have no power to set you free.

Your heart has become the Center of war, your thoughts are like troops of ants, they go up and down like a floating meter.

Your praise singers’ voices are going down slowly, what is left are tiny sect of blood suckers, though they shout on a high octave, yet they are not heard from the hills of victory

Those who were waving the leaves as mourners of nineteenth century, are all weary and the green leaves in their hands are becoming brown, many have left behind the leaves on the road and picked up the umbrella of safety.

Though you are temporarily free from the prison walls, you are still behind it in your thoughts, though you are free from the control of warders, you are not free to go where you wish to go and do what you wish to do. So where is your freedom “Who Born Dog”?

Those that their intention is to milk you dry, will continue to colonize your conscience so that you won't know when to walk away.
Their only mission is to milk you dry and continue to reap from where they did not sew.

I share in your grief but as a deep thinker, I know you are suffering from the pains of fighting against the will of God.

When Saul fought against God's enthronement of David, he became mad, when Absalom fought the enthronement of Solomon he died on the tree, when Abacha perpetuate himself in power, he died from eating apple and when Pharaoh wanted to stop Israelites he was killed at Red Sea.

Nothing survives God’s anger, when that object stands on the way of God's mission, he made mountain plain land and made valley a living throne.

The wall of Jericho couldn't stand firm when God wanted his children to take over the promise land, the Jebusites were crushed to mire because God wanted his Covenant children to possess the land flowing with milk and honey.

Pastor Umo Eno is anointed by God, all that stood before must suffer affliction until they leave his path.

God gives his throne to the meek but rejects the proud, and bring them to the mire of shame.
Your bridge has been broken, you are left in the middle of nowhere, may God grant you another path to take you to somewhere, for Pastor Umo Eno has found favour in His sight.

The conquest of Canaan by Joshua and the Israelite tribes was swift and decisive, Pastor Umo is the Joshua of today, he will conquer all before him speedily.

RE: SENATOR BASSEY ALBERT’S POST CONVICTION RELEASE AND VAIN THREATS FROM FACELESS SUPPORTERS

On the 2nd day of January 2023, I featured on ABN TV show where I stated categorically that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan was granted bail on Health Grounds.

Few days after, a letter supposedly sponsored by Bassey Albert from a faceless group with no signatories and dated 9th January,2023 titled: Request to Retract Statement Labelled Against Senator Bassey Albert was forwarded to my mail.

In the said letter directed to me, the group insinuated that I should retract the statement I made that Bassey Albert Akpan was granted bail on Health Grounds.

A cursory look at paragraphs 10,11 and 12 of the affidavit of the convict deposed to by one Iniobong Utuk on behalf of the applicant/convict (Senator Bassey Albert Akpan) at the vacation court in Port Harcourt, praying for bail have confirmed my claims.

The said paragraphs clearly mentioned that the convict was seeking for bail on health grounds, and that he had a long standing case of Hypertension and Diabetes which the convict/applicant feared might lead to his sudden death if he was still kept in solitary confinement at Ikot Ekpene Correctional Facility. This according to him is because he (OBA) needed specialised attention and medication which were not possible at the Correctional Centre.

And clearly, it was on this basis that the court graciously granted him bail pending his appeal.

It is this position that I echoed on ABN TV on that day when I was reacting to the statement made by one of the convict/applicant's supporters who was in the studio with me.

When I stated unequivocally that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan was granted bail on health grounds at a vacation court in the city of Port Harcourt, I was merely saying what I had read from the affidavit of the applicant which he filed in Court and from the certified true copy (CTC) of the Court Order which granted the bail application as prayed for by the applicant himself, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.

I still stand on my earlier position that OBA was granted bail on health ground. I mentioned the issue of mental health, as stated in the affidavit which clearly prayed the court that Bassey Albert is hypertensive. Empirical research suggests that hypertension often results in diminished brain blood flow and metabolism. These issues are believed to affect neuronal metabolism, neurochemical transmission and thus diminished brain function.

This means it is a health condition that affects the brain, because it leads to stroke. So hypertension is in the wide range of conditions that affects mood, thinking and behaviour of OBA and clinically it will be correct to say that he has a mental case.

Why is Bassey Albert so pained by this revelation to the extent of sending a faceless group to threaten me and some broadcasters with legal sanction? In saner climes, Bassey Albert would have withdrawn from the race because of his dramatised health condition. If he could manage hypertension for 14 years when the weight of governance is not on his head, what would happen if he becomes the governor? It means the burden of governing over 7 million inhabitants of the state would wear him down. In other words, the pressure that accompanies the office of the governor may worsen his health condition. How will he react to emergency issues in the state? How will he be able to think straight and act in a sane manner? I'm more concerned about his wellbeing than the position.
This is the truth that people hate to know.

The faceless group has also threatened most of the broadcast stations I featured with litigation. I wonder what they are scared of. Nevertheless, I see those threats as empty threats bigotedly sponsored by faceless human beings who neither have names or identity.

Curiously I got the letter from the said group after my reaction as if I had made a fallacious and or defamatory statement against Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.

I have called you all here to be aware that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan was granted bail on Health Grounds as seen on the court papers which I have here to share with all of you and to further maintain my position that what I said at the studio of ABN TV was the fact as reflected on the applicant's deposition and nothing more, and I stand by my statement.

My statement that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan was granted bail on health grounds is ereby Justified.

Rev Richard Peters

Cc:
ABN TV,
The Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State.

Mbiafun Nkwono agog DAVEN during the second edition of 2022 DAVEN Community League and free Medical Screening.

The good people of Mbiafun Nkwono in Ikono Local Government were impressed during the second edition of 2022 DAVEN Community League & Free Medical Screening.

The event which took place at The Primary School Mbiafun Nkwono on the 31st December, 2022 started at about 12pm with a Free Medical Screening for both old and young having a massive turn out by the good people of Mbiafun Nkwono and nearby Community. At the screening Periodical examinations, visual acuity test and free lens, medical diagnose and free drugs was given to all participants as the team was Led by Dr Mrs. Enwono David Eyo, the wife of Mr. David Eyo.

Later was the official Kickoff/Grand finale at about 4pm featuring two giants of Mbiafun Nkwono in the finals.

The epoc event was Chaired and kickoff by Hon Dr. Glory Edet who was represented by Mrs. Jane Essien and Husband Mr Mike Essien, Chairman Akwa Ibom State Central Abattoir , SP Cordelia Nwawe, Etteidung Engr. Dr MacPherson Okonna, Chief Aniefiok Bassey Village Head of Mbiafun, Representative of Ikono Executive Chairman, PDP Ward 2 Chairman, Mr. Akaninyene (Manager DAEWONAO Nig LImited), host of village Youth Council, friends and well wishers were present during the finals played between Nung Nya Vs Nung Obio Ufuk the defending Champions.

Dr. Glory Edet in her speech through her representative Mrs Jane Essien noted the kind gesture DAVEN has displayed to mark this event a memorial and urge the people of Ikono to through their supports and Goodwill for her ambition and the PDP family in the forth coming elections.

The game however ended in a full 90 minutes and extra time goaless draw resulting in a penalty kick.

The fate of the winner was decided in a penalty win as Nung Nya defeated Nung Obio Ufuk 5-3.

The event featured award presentations to Mr Idorenyin Raphael, Mr Ndiana-abasi Nana Udom, SP Cordelia Nwawe, Dr Kelvin Okonna , Mr. Samuel Umana, Etteidung Engr. MacPherson Okonna and Mr Johnson Udoudo alongside kind donations by the Chairperson Dr. Glory Edet, Mr Samuel Umana, Mr/ Mrs Mike & Jane Essien and Mbiafun PDP Ward Chairman to support the tournament.

Mr David Eyo during his appreciation was grateful to God and the people of Mbiafun Nkwono for such a kind gesture and support given to him during the second edition of DAVEN COMMUNITY LEAGUE, and promised more of his Community Social Responsibility to the people of Mbiafun Nkwono.

©Ekanem Ekanem

OBA AND THE SHAMEFUL CELEBRATIONS OF CRIMINALITY

Emmanuel Nicholas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SENATOR BASSEY ALBERT CLEARED, TRANSFERRED FROM QUARANTINE FACILITY

The Senator representing Uyo in the National Assembly, Senator Bassey Albert was Wednesday released from the isolation facility of the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Center after being given a clean bill of health.

In line with the protocols of the Custodial facility any new inmate is usually subjected to 14 days quarantine in the holding area until he is medically fit to be allowed to mingle with other inmates.

Senator Albert was said to be in high spirit when he was transferred to the main prison.

“For someone who is going to spend several years with us, there is always a need to be sure that he is in a good bill of health to avoid being a parent source of any contagious illness among inmates”, a prison staff told our reporter.

He said that the reason most people could not see the senator before now, is because he was being isolated from the public.

“The quarantine is not only for Covid19 but every other contagious and life threatening disease and the prison officials were happy that the Uyo senator has been in excellent health.”

Having been released from the isolation facility, OBA has now been cleared to play games and interact with other inmates.

The Ikot Ekpene Custodial Facility was built by the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio and has a lot of recreational facilities and skill acquisition equipment which the senator is expected to engage in, as he seeks to come out reformed upon completion of his sentence.

Some key features of the unique International Smart Terminal Building are:

1. A digital self check-in by a robot, pre-planned before Covid-19

2. Automated luggage screening and weighing.

3. Video/Scene Analytics
- Static object detection, suspicious packages, etc
- Foot traffic analysis
- Queue detection
- Facial recognition
- Traffic monitoring
- Incident analysis
- Vehicle counting
- License plate readers

4. Moisture Control Technology (Damp Proofing) for Hot Seasons.

5. New Technologies and Best Practices Involving Synchronized Motors, Regeneration Converters, Control Software, Optimization of Counterweights and Cabin Lighting to Yield Significant Savings.

6. Daylighting and advanced occupancy and Dimming Functions to eliminate over-lit spaces.

7. Intelligent Transport Management Systems

8. Fully Integrated Alarm and Voice Evacuation System.

9. Infrared toilet system with automatic flushing system.

10. Automation of Immigration Processes and Centers.

The modern smart terminal building receiving finishing touches as Governor Udom Emmanuel’s promise to provide world class infrastructure, continues to find bold expressions in Akwa Ibom State.

If this project was located in another state in Nigeria, people in this State would appreciate and celebrate it as an achievement.

Politics: How Akpabio plotted OBA's Imprisonment through Barr. Leo Ekpenyong

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

THE LAW IS A RESPECTER OF NO MAN

Rev Richard Peters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#OBAofBribe

N204m Bribe: HOW OBA’S MEN DISOWNED HIM AT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT

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

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

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

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

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

STILL ON THE OBA OF BRIBERY

Now, assume yourself a judge and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, brought a man before you on six counts of Money Laundering, arising from the allegation that he took bribe of six vehicles worth N204 Million, from a contractor whose companies had contracts with the State Government, at the time. He admits collecting the vehicles.

You confirm that the vehicles were proceeds of crime and that he committed the offence while he served as Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, in December 2012, would you have declared him innocent?

Say no to #OBAofBribe

GROUP FIRES SALVO AT OBA:

LEAVE GOVERNOR EMMANUEL OUT OF YOUR N204M BRIBERY PREDICAMENTS



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.

AKAN OKON ADMITS HE ACCUSED UMO ENO OF FORGERY WITHOUT MEETING WAEC OR A EXPERT OPINION

… As court receives original WAEC Certificates of 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.

UPDATE: as at 10:30am

Counsel for 1st and 2nd defendants, Paul Usoro SAN currently cross examining the plaintiffs’ witness, Chief Udenze who says he is a retired police officer, retired in 2016.

Very interesting session, will post full details, when they are done.

#AkanOkonVsUmoEno

Court sits at 9.35am. Lawyers announce appearances

Okey Amaechi SAN
UCHE Awa SAN
A A Asuquo Esq
AC Okoroafor Esq
Chinedu Awa Esq
Victor Kingsley Esq for plaintiff (Akan Okon)

Paul Usoro SAN
Chief Offiong Offiong SAN
Nnamonso Ekanem SAN
Essien Udom SAN
oyetola Atoyebi SAN
Uwemedimo Nwoko SAN
Godwill Umoh Esq
Emmanuel Enoidem Esq
Samuel Akpabio Esq
Utibe Nwoko Esq
Ekaobong Thomas Esq
Harrison Okoro Esq
Ema Assam Esq
Uboho Eyo
Etimbuk Udofia
Felix Orok
Ibrahim Wale for 1st and 2nd defendants (PDP and Pastor Umo Eno)

Eze Emmanuel Esq for INEC

#AkanOkonVsUmoEno

Gov. Emmanuel pays Salaries, Pensions, Gratuities Against all Odds- Media Aide Replies Critics.

Tony Anichebe Uyo.

"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.

AKAN OKON, IBOM PLAZA JURISTS AND FAKE PROFESSORS

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.

AKAN OKON NAMES DISGRACED PROFESSOR, OTHERS, AS WITNESSES IN AMENDED MOTION

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.

BREAKING NEWS

APPEAL COURT DISMISSES ATHEISTS’ SUIT AGAINST AKWA IBOM INTERNATIONAL WORSHIP CENTRE

The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, has dismissed the case brought by the Atheist Society of Nigeria, against the judgment of the Akwa Ibom High Court which had earlier held that the Atheist Society of Nigeria had no locus standi to challenge the Powers of the Government of Akwa Ibom State to build a befitting the International Worship Centre for its people.

In a unanimous decision, the Three- Man Panel held that the Atheist lacked the locus standi to challenge the building of the International Worship Centre in the State.

The court held that Akwa Ibom State Government did not violate any provision of the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria by leading the Akwa Ibom people to build a befitting Worship Centre for God.

The court awarded a cost of 100 thousand Naira in favour of the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

Akwa State Government was represented by former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN.

The construction of the International Worship Centre, which is primarily funded by the good people of Akwa Ibom State and other willing donors, has elicited unnecessary firestorm, fueled and kept alive by a section of the political class

This posture by some politicians have been shockingly received by a cross section of Akwa Ibomites, given the status of the state as a largely Christian State are now questioning why such a befitting worship centre should be constructed.

They agreed that some politicians who, have since moved to other political parties are using the issue of the worship centre as a campaign issue and are believed to have supported the case to the Appeal Court.

“Now that the Appeal Court has dismissed the case and okayed the completion and commissioning of this project, I wonder where they will now go to seek their redress. It is very sad that a politician from a largely Christian State will be fighting against the construction of the worship centre and these are the same people who want to rule the state,” Barr Stephen Abia, a social affairs commentator told reporters.

“If they could work with atheists and non- believers, it tells you where our state would be if they were to be given power. Thank God our people know them and their moral underpinnings and will never support them”, he stated

COURT ADJOURNS FOR JUDGEMENT ON YPP GUBER TICKET

…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).

AKWA IBOM GUBER 2023: AKAN OKON GETS NEW LAWYER, SEEKS FRESH AMENDMENT TO PETITION
…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.

But, Governor Emmanuel’s Aide on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, Special Assistant on Media, Rev Richard Peters, flanked by their counterparts on Project Monitoring, Joseph Okon and Ernest Akpan, respectively in a media briefing in Uyo on Thursday, noted that demand for Certified True Copy is purely administrative adding that he should approach the appropriate quarters.

Ndueso, who spoke on behalf of other aides, said Falana should be more concerned on teaching his client, Effiong, decorum and respect in court and not to champion a ‘watery suit’ against the state Chief Judge.
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/iniebehe-effiong-emmanuels-aides-tackle-falana-over-suit-against-akwa-ibom-cj/

MORE TROUBLES FOR AKAN OKON

• POLICE CLAMPDOWN ON FORGED WAEC LETTER SYNDICATES

...QUIZ NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER, ORS

A dangerous twist has emerged in the ongoing alleged WAEC certificate forgery case between Mr. Akan Okon and Pastor Umo Eno over Police investigations and the discovery of a fake confirmation letter by syndicates allegedly sponsored by the former Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Akan Okon.

Police investigations have established that the WAEC confirmation letter purporting that Pastor Umo Eno's data was not found on the WAEC database earlier published by TheMAIL newspaper and other social media platforms was forged by corrupt individuals working for the former Commissioner for Economic Development.

…Read more details on the Towncrier