Five people, including Effiom Abai, Vice Chairman of Ukanafun Council in Akwa State, have been reminded in Ikot Ekpene prison for the alleged murder of former state House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Okon Uwah.
Chief Magistrate, Charles Akan, made the order pending the transfer of the case to the High Court as his court lacks the jurisdiction to hear it.
The accused persons, whose case files Akan ordered to be taken to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for action include Endurance Marcus Udoh, Godwin Moses Udoh, Akaninyene Benson Brown, and another.
Effiong Okwong, state All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Organisation Deputy Director General, alleged that Effiom Abai who allegedly led the squad that assassinated Uwah, is an aide to Governor Godswill Akpabio.
He said it was Akpabio who nominated Abai for the post of Ukanafun Council Vice Chairman.
Akpabio condemns murder
However, Akpabio issued a statement which condemned the murder as strange and cowardly.
He issued a statement through Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umanah, which described the murder as dastardly, strange, and cowardly.
Akpabio directed the security agencies to investigate Uwah’s death and to prosecute the perpetrators, no matter their political leaning.
Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Achong, confirmed that “police operatives led by very senior police officers quickly mobilised to the scene of crime in order to discover and arrest the perpetrators of this heinous crime and also prevent any consequent breakdown of the law and order.”
The investigation led to the arrest and arraignment of the suspects.
Shattered peace
The accord on peace and non-violence signed early this year by political parties in Akwa Ibom was torn to shreds on March 18 with the death of Uwah at the hands of thugs.
Harmony was shattered in the sleepy village of Nkek in Ukanafun council as assailants invaded Ward 3 where Uwah went to consult voters and beat him to death in public glare.
A close friend of the deceased, who gave his name as Ette Akamba, said Uwah had two children who were still dependent on him for up keep.
“He is a grass roots man who has served this local government as executive chairman between 2005 and 2007 and the deputy speaker of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly from 2007 to 2011.
“Over 50 armed thugs lynched him while passersby watched helplessly. Nobody could get close to the thugs as their operation was a mission which must be accomplished,” Akamba lamented.
APC accuses PDP of killings
A statement issued by the APC expressed shock at the assassination of Uwah, its candidate for Ukanafun State Constituency in the election on April 11 and a member of the APC Campaign Council.
Okwong alleged that “the foundation for Uwah’s assassination was laid at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rally held in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state last month.”
The APC alleged that Emmanuel Ukoette, a PDP member in the House of Representatives representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, on live television at the rally called on PDP supporters to kill whoever opposes the party in the state.
Ukoette, who is seeking re-election, allegedly made the statement in the presence of Akpabio.
State APC top shots resolved that there is no need looking elsewhere for the killers, insisting that Abai, who is also Ukoette’s Campaign Coordinator, allegedly led the assassination squad.
Okwong alleged that Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner, Uwem Etuk, said on tape that APC supporters who campaign and vote for the party would be maimed and killed.
APC governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, commiserated with the family of Uwah, saying his murder is totally unacceptable and painful.
“This is the first time a candidate running for an election in this state will be murdered in broad daylight,” he added.
But he appealed to the people to remain calm and law abiding.
“The murderers are very well known and the thugs are very well known. They will not escape justice.
“This is a plot by the PDP to rig the election with fake policemen who will be given uniform to embarrass and intimate voters during election,” Umana alleged.
He said there are many unresolved murders in Akwa Ibom which have been reported to the Human Rights Commission (HRC).
PDP denies allegation
Umanah rejected the allegation that the PDP masterminds killings.
“Those are APC flippant talks. We don’t play politics with people’s lives. [Akpabio] is not in the state how can the APC link him with the murder of Uwah?
“There is no sense accusing the PDP, the governor had at no time said people will die. This death is strange, we don’t fight in the PDP, we don’t kidnap, we don’t burn properties,” Umanah insisted.
Lands Commissioner and Town Planning Commissioner, Sampson Akpan, explained that Ukanafun Council Chairman, Sylvester Udokang, and himself “are from the same place, we are blood brother, we cannot kill our brother.
“Ukanafun is a PDP local government nobody should sit in Uyo and fabricate issue.”