ILLEGAL ARREST AND TORTURE: AK High Court Slams .5 Million Naira Fine on Police

An Akwa Ibom State High Court, Sitting in Ikot Ekpene Judicial Division has awarded the sum of =N=500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira) in favour of Mr. Nkereuwem Thomas Edet, (a.k.a. Napper) of Ikot Ambang, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, for gross violation of fundamental human right and denial of right to personal liberty and dignity of his person.

Delivering judgment in the case with suit number HT/FHR.36/2014, instituted against; Inspector Celestine Okpara (IPO-SCID-Uyo), DSP Julian Onita (OC, DS-SCID-UYO) and the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State; 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondent respectively, Justice Joy I. Unwana, declared; "that the arrest, torture and detention of the APPLICANT, NKEREUWEN THOMAS EDET  from the 4th day of July 2014, beyond the period allowed by law is unlawful and constitute a violation of APPLACANT'S right to personal liberty and right to dignity of his person."

The court also restrained the respondents from "further acts of violation of the applicant's right on account of the compliant in this suit." The Court awarded the sum of N50,000.00 (Fifty thousand Naira) against the 1st respondent in favour of Mr. Nkereuwem Edet as the cost of litigation.

Speaking with newsmen last week, Napper said he is glad that the Judiciary has lived up to expectation and has proven to remain the unbiased umpire and only hope for the common man, he particularly thanked God for seeing him through the travail and commended his legal team, friends and relatives for their support.

"I was always harassed, intimidated and molested by the police, particularly those from the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) headed by Julian; they would fabricate baseless and spurious allegations against me, arrest, torture and extort hundreds of thousands of Naira from me." he declared.

Edet, an Elder of The Mount Zion Full Gospel Church and Managing Director of St. Agnes Mortuary Services and St. Agnes Hotels Limited, both in Ikot Ambang, disclosed that he had been arrested, detained and tortured up to five times, by the police on trump up charges, said he had no choice but to seek redress in a competent court, to avoid the ceaseless invasion of his business premises and private abode and put a stop to the brutal extortion by the policemen whom he alleged took advantage of his physical disability.

ESARAGATE: Separating Truth From The Lies

Anietie Okon's baseless Sophistry
 

Mrs Esara

There has been a lot of activity since the petition against the Transition Chairman of Itu Local Government Area, Mrs Elsie Esara was submitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), by some supervisors from the Council, leading to an invitation by the House's Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that unfortunately culminated in an avoidable but lavish spectacle of shame and childish ignorance by the Esara, on the floor of the Assembly.

Many who are conversant with civil, legislative and democratic practices, commended the supervisors for adopting the legally prescribed approach to uncover alleged misappropriation of council funds, abuse of office and other irregularities leveled against Mrs. Esara. However, those with moral compasses twisted beyond comprehension, who see nothing wrong in the steady and massive plundering of the Itu Local Government's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), 

Anietie Okon

to line the pockets of supposed political "Godfathers" and "mentors" resorted to salvos of infantile, illogical and baseless media attacks on the person of Hon. Idongesit Ituen, and the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The latest of such skewed and misdirected write ups with intent to glorify irregularities, come from a faceless and non existent group 'ITU PATRIOTS FORUM' with the. Caption; 'BEFORE IDONGESIT ITUEN RUNS MAD' and signed by Elder Edem Linus and Silas Uboh, purportedly as Chairperson and Secretary, respectively. In the said letter, the group feebly attacked Hon. Ituen, wrongly accusing him of being the brain behind linking the First Lady, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, to the alleged embezzlement of council fund. They also attempted to cast aspersion on the AKHA. Before we go further, let's ponder on the following:

1. In the petition signed by; Hon. Ubong Edem, Supervisor for Works, Hon. Kufre Ema, supervisors for Special Duties, Hon. Emem Uboh, Supervisor for Health, Hon. Anthonia Udoette, supervisor for Women Affairs and the Secretary of council, Hon. Etido Udoibit. Mrs Elsie Esara is alleged to have claimed to use the IGR to "settle" the First Lady, Mrs Martha Emmanuel's bills, and pay certain stake holders in the Local Government, including ; Sen.. Anietie Okon, Dr. Henry Archibong, Prince Idongesit Ituen, Mr. Akan Okon and Mr. Victor Okon and Mr Effiong Ebong Okon.

2. That it took Esara 29 days of prodding to offer her apology to the First Lady, indicates that the shameful and ignoble behavior she exhibited on the floor of the State Assembly, where she unwittingly admitted to being 'ill advised" by her political leader and "mentor" Senator Anietie Okon, to snub the House Committee's invitation, is more of a trait.

3 Is it not obvious to all that whenever the Transition Chairman is confronted with disturbing or incriminating facts, instead of proffering facts to defends herself, she prefers to spew all kinds of half baked and spurious stories that would implicate highly placed persons. That is why she probably listed Mrs. Udom Emmanuel as one of the benefactors of the revenue funds when confronted by the petitioners who preferred not to join in the looting spree. However, when all that failed to deter the petitioners, she resorted to blackmail and lies.

For one not in tune with democratic and legislative practices, it is not strange to hear them childishly and naively allege that the petition lacks credibility, simply because Nigeria's anti graft agencies, like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is not involved. Ignorance certainly reside where this hurriedly patched combination of alphabets came from and it glaring those behind it need a lecture on the modus operandi of anti graft agencies.

I'll go ahead to highlight certain questions, begging for answers, which you or your sponsors should have tackled before embarrassing yourselves with this incoherent grammatical assemblage. Is it not a fact that before the Esara's era, =N= 200, 000 (two hundred thousand naira) was the weekly proceed from Etaha market, paid into the Council's purse after all necessary and legal expenses? and that shortly before she took over, the sum of five hundred thousand naira was deposited as the weekly proceed from the market. This was repeated in 2 consecutive market days before she was sworn into office.

But in sharp contrast to this, Mrs Elsie Esara failed to make return  in December, and that she has deposited two hundred thousand naira only as monthly proceed from the same market that had generated far above that in a week in previous cases. This could only imply that fifty thousand naira is all that has been raised weekly from the market since she assumed office. The above mentioned figures were presented by the Director of Finance, Elder Wilson E. Wilson Uya.

In a published sophistry, credited to Senator Anietie Okon, he vilified the 6th Assembly of the AKHA and tried to clear Mrs Esara of any wrong doing, undermining the legislative rights of the state legislature. In other clime, he would be arrested and tried for making inciting comment or treason.

Why should any right thinking person attempt to fault the House of Assembly for inviting a woman whose appointment was made possible by their instance. Is the House supposed to turn a blind eye over allegations of financial impropriety? Or did the House of Assembly cause the "blackout" she claimed to have suffered? Do you expect Prince Ituen to sacrifice his legislative obligation on the alter of mediocrity and selective and unorthodox "settlements"?

Just two days ago, while answering questions over the petition brought against her, she publicly admitted that she is guilty of not following due process amidst other misdemeanor. She also denied being aware of kind of attack or intimidation from Prince Idongesit Ituen, as alleged my some person whose intention is to ensure the brazen rape of Itu Local government continues, she further described Senator Anietie Okon's remarks about the House as "harsh."

What can be deduced from all this is that an incompetent pawn had been foisted on the people of Itu Local Government Area, with the sole mandate to milk the Council's treasury dry, for the benefits of her "mentor".

Okon Okon Edem. writes from Mbak Ibio itam, Itu Local Government Area

 

SOLDIERS ARREST 17 SUSPECTED MILITANTS IN OKU IBOKU

By Patrick Antia

 

Nigerians soldiers stationed at Ayadeghe in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have apprehended 17 suspected militants from Ikot Offiong in Cross River State.

The soldiers were said to have also recovered many sophisticated arms and ammunition from the suspects.

Our correspondent learnt that the arrest and recovery of the weapons followed a raid on militants' hideouts, along the bank of the river in the disputed area.

The suspected militants, said to be aged between 26 and 40 years are alleged to be responsible for incessant raid on the coastal community of Oku Iboku, whom they have been locked in an age long boundary dispute.

A resident of Ayadeghe, Mr. Okon Edet, told our correspondent that the suspected militants were later conveyed in military trucks, escorted by heavily armed soldiers over the bridge towards Calabar.

Items said to have been recovered from them include many 2 grenade launchers, 36 guns including Kalashinkov rifles, pump actions, double barrel guns and two big ghana must go bag, filled with different calibres of ammunition and assorted charms.

Due to the sophisticated arms cache, many now suspect them to be hired militants from Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State.

Assistant Director, Public Relations Brigade 2, Nigeria Army, Mr. Umar Shuaib, when contacted, said he would get back to our correspondent.

NO RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT DURING ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel has approved that while the monthly environmental sanitation exercise goes on tomorrow Saturday April 29, 2017, there will be no restriction of movement.

This is to allow students all over Akwa Ibom state participate fully in the scheduled nationwide mock JAMB examination.


Signed
Charles Udoh
Hon. Commissioner
Information & Strategy

Revealed: How Akan Okon plotted Speaker Luke's impeachment ...Fights dirty to dislodge Representative

Onofiok Luke

By Joseph Atainyang

Akan Okon

Fresh facts have emerged of how a serving commissioner in Akwa Ibom State executive council, Mr. Akan Okon, who is in charge of Housing and Special Duties, made fruitless efforts to facilitate the impeachment of the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.(Barr) Onofiok Luke.

An impeccable source made the revelations recently stating that the former Finance Commissioner had some weeks back coordinated a meeting in his house with seven members of the Sixth Assembly persuading them and suggesting antics by which Barr. Luke could be thrown out.
The source who dropped the hint only on confidential ground, maintained that Okon had wanted to plot out the speaker so as to gain relative control of the house as well as map out plans to pursue with ease, his ambition of seeking the Governorship seat by next election.

The source stated that Okon was frustrated when his contact point, the seven members who attended the meeting, were unable to recruit more legislators into the fold as funds which he allegedly made available were thrown back by other members, including Idongesit Ituen of Itu and eight others who openly expressed their solidarity with the Speaker, saying they were solidly behind Mr Luke whom they viewed as being the best thing to have happened to the Sixth Assembly.



It could be recalled that the rumours of the Speaker's impeachment saga had been a familiar chorus some weeks back.

Similarly, Mr. Okon was said to be bent on plucking off the Speaker as he (Okon) reportedly went further to preach his gospel of Luke's removal by stretching towards engaging in negotiations with eight other members of the house who outrightly turned him down leaving him completely ashamed.

The members include: Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh of Esit Eket/Ibeno, Elder Friday Iwok of Abak, Hon. Otobong Akpan of Ukanafun, Rt. Hon. Mfon Ekong of Nsit Ibom and Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan of Oruk Anam. Others are the Deputy Speaker, Princess Felicia Bassey of Okobo State Constituency, David Lawrence of Eket and Nse Ntuen of Essien Udim.

Meanwhile, the same Special Duties Commissioner has been fingered in the current media war against the lawmaker who represents the Itu State Constituency, Hon. Idongesit Ituen.

However, a call sent to the said Commissioner to make response, in line with the allegations, was hung up within 35 seconds as he (Okon) told this reporter not to call him again.

ADVERTORIAL

                                                           COMMUNIQUE

                                                       ITU MANDATE GROUP

RE- You are a pathological and congenital traitor, liar and blackmailer - constituents blast Idy Ituen:"

Our attention has been drawn to a piece of poorly scripted thrash of blackmail, with the above title, peddled by some paid agents on social and print media, against our illustrous son and dynamic legislator; Prince Idongesit Ituen.

Ordinarily, we would have ignored this unprofessional and dishonest campaign of calumny, for all that it is - a cheap attempt at tar brushing, but for the purpose of setting the record straight and preventing the deception of the gullible, we wish to state as follows;

1. That we are not ignorant of the fact that, the failed attempt by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Housing; Mr. Akan Okon to impose one Mr. Victor Edem Akpan on Itu as the Chapter Youth Council Chairman, is the remote and immediate cause of the sudden attacks on Prince Idongesit Ituen.

2. That, Mr Akan Okon is trying to hide behind his thumb, as we are in the know, that, he is the mastermind, sponsor and blackmailer in chief of Prince idongesit Ituen and, is using his foot soldiers to engage in this campaign of calumny.
 
3. That Mr. Mr. Akan Okon who is dissipating so much energy setting up structures for his dream governorship project should rather focus on performing on his current job as Commissioner and Contributing to actualizing the vision of His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel, as the Governorship will only rotate to Uyo Senatorial district, come 2023.
 
4. That Prince Idongesit Ituen is performing creditably well in effectively representing Itu in the State legislature and we hereby pass a vote of confidence in his leadership. 

5. That we congratulate Prince Idongesit Ituen on the constituency road maintenance roject, and for sponsoring the Akwa Ibom State Road Traffic Management Bill, which just passed the second reading and the Successful conclusion of the Akwa Ibom Community Shield (the biggest football competition in the state), which was sponsored by him, and many other achievements which we will celebrate in another outing.

6. That whereas, IMG hereby pledge total support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and pledge to re-elect him for a second term in office, come 2023, we hereby wish to advise Mr. Akan Okon to desist forthwith from sponsoring attacks on our respected lawmaker or we shall resist hs failed antics.

7. Finally, we wish to congratulate the new chairman of Itu Chapter of the Youth Council, Comrade Idongesit Bassey Tom and assure him of the unflinching support of all Itu people


Signed: 


      Comrade Unyimeobong Essien                                                          Effiong Davies
                Chairman                                                                                      Secretary

The Untold Story of Akan Okon's Attack on Itu Lawmaker *Shelve your Governorship ambition till 2023, Itu youths to Akan Okon

Akan Okon

By Emmanuel Offiong

The last has not been heard on the latest crisis brewing in Itu Local Government Area following  the aftermath of the failed attempt by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Housing; Mr. Akan Okon, to impose his crony, one Victor Edem Akpan alias vikolo, as the Youth Council Chairman of Itu Chapter of the Akwa Ibom State Youth Council.

Trouble started when the Member representing Itu state Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Prince Idongesit Ituen drew the attention of Governor Udom Emmanuel to the fact  that, the youths of Itu were not comfortable with the choice of the said Victor Akpan as the chairman of the Itu Chapter of the youth council.

Governor Emmanuel, our government house source revealed - instructed Mr. Akan Okon, who unilaterally handpicked Mr. Victor Akpan from Prince Idongesit Ituen's ward 8, to go back and consult with Prince Ituen and other stakeholders and resolve the controversy.

Our Source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that, Prince Ituen insisted that Victor Akpan is not a popular choice and he was therefore rejected, leading to the emergence of the more popular Comrade Idongesit Bassey Tom, from the same ward 8, in Itu Local Government Area. This twist did not go down well with Mr. Akan Okon, who in his disappointment with Governor Udom Emmanuel mobilized his proxies and sponsored  media attacks on Prince Ituen, with some hirelings going online to blast Prince Idongesit Ituen a fraudster, blackmailer and calling him all manner of names.

Reacting to an online news item titled,"you are a pathological and congenital traitor, liar and blackmailer - constituent blasts Idongesit Ituen." A youth activist from Itu, Comrade Unyimeobong Essien dismissed the report as a failed attempt to malign the integrity or tarnish the reputation of the Itu born lawmaker. Mr. Essien told our reporter that it was clear even to the blind that Mr. Akan Okon and his disgruntled cohorts who are desperate to build political structure for his pet governorship project, deployed some cheap blackmailers to spread damaging lies against the highly respected and principled Itu lawmaker.

Other sources also confided in our reporter that, Mr. Victor Akpan lost out because, Itu people see him as a cursed fellow. One Etim Bassey revealed that that every one from Afaha Ube Itam (the village where Victor Akpan hails from, in Itu) are aware that his late father who was a nitive doctor cursed and disowned him until his death because of his rebellious and criminal tendencies. Mr. Bassey also disclosed that, he was previously arrested and remanded for gun-running and during that period, he lost 2 of his children and said such person with a dark background should not lead the youths of Itu.

Every attempt to get the Itu born lawmaker speak to us on the issue, could not materialized as the person who picked his call said he was busy attending a meetings and committee functions, Prince Ituen is the Chairman House Committee on works and Transport.

Meanwhile, a Socio political group Itu Mandate Group (IMG) has slammed Mr. Akan Okon, fingering him as the big masquerade behind the serial blackmail unleashed on Idongesit Ituen. In a rejoinder signed by the President of the group, lambasted Akan Okon to desist from his subversive tactics and focus on his job as a commissioner or risk being resisted by the good people of Itu.

IMG pledged their total support to Governor Udom Emmanuel, until 2023 and while pledging to re-elect him in 2019, advised Akan Okon to suspend his subtle campaign for Governorship until 2023, when it will be the turn of Uyo Senatorial District to produce the governor.

The IMG However passed a vote of confidence on Prince Idongesit Ituen and charged him to ignore the antics of disgruntled people and continue representing Itu people effectively. The group congratulated Prince Idongesit Ituen on the  Constituency road maintenance project, and for sponsoring the Akwa Ibom State Road Traffic Management Bill, which just passed the second reading and the Successful conclusion of the Akwa Ibom Community Shield (the biggest football competition in the state), which was sponsored by him, and many other achievements which we will celebrate in another outing.