RE: AKPABIO’S AIDE CHARGED WITH MURDER

Dear Editor,

RE: AKPABIO’S AIDE CHARGED WITH MURDER

"Akpabio’s aide charged with murder" was one of the back page lead stories in the New Nigerian newspaper of Wednesday February 10. The newspaper quoted; "The Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Godswill Akpabio, Dr. Chris Ekong was on Monday, arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court (presided over by Chief Magistrate Edet Obot) in Uyo for alleged charge of murder and conspiracy." The killing, the newspaper continued was “of one Mathias Ekpenyong and brother last year as well as cases of kidnapping in the State." Request by Dr. Ekong’s lawyer for bail was turned down by the Chief Magistrate because it was a capital offence, he said. He then directed the DPP to collect the charge sheet from his court and file the matter in the State High Court.

It will be recalled that Dr. Chris Ekong, then Commissioner for Economic Planning in Akpabio’s cabinet narrated how he was assigned to secure the release from kidnappers of a Lebanese with a construction company handling road contract in Ikot Ekpene. Ekong was later said to have burnt his fingers as he was accused of releasing about a quarter of the ransom that ran into millions of Naira which he (Ekong) claimed he collected from the residence of the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Don Etim in Ghana-must-go bags, for the purpose. For mishandling the matter by spilling the beans, Dr. Chris Ekong was unceremoniously removed by Governor Akpabio.

In an earlier development and according to the Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government (the governor Akpabio’s home LGA) who is also the Chairman of the Chairmen of Akwa Ibom LGAs, Hon Ntuen, was quoted in the media, after his release from the hands of his kidnappers, that he was grateful to the State governor Godswill Akpabio who facilitated his release. He also stated that his captors initially demanded N500million but did not say how much eventually was paid for his release.

The public thereafter tinker government’s involvement in ransom payments to kidnappers. General Akpan’s case requires government’s comment.

Chief Patrick Umoette, 358 Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.