We are aware that you visited Odudu Ukpanah in the prison. How was your
meeting with him?
Let me begin by saying that I got to know about this Odudu
Ukpanah’s case last December through the social media when the sisters of Odudu
got frustrated by the inaction of Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio to their
diplomatic cries for justice. In less than 24 hours after they spoke out, I got
calls from all over the country requesting my intervention. The family
contacted me and sought my intervention. To your question, I first met Odudu in
Court in Abak Local Government Area on 15th December, 2014, when his case first
came up for hearing. I met him again on 25th December, 2014 when I went to
spend Christmas with him. I met him for the third time few days ago when I led
the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association led by its National
Chairman and 1st Vice President of the NBA, Barr Francis Ekwere, to discuss
with him. My meetings with him only fortified my resolve to stand by him to the
end. I can stake my neck for his innocence.
How is his health?
Odudu is presently suffering from an ailment which developed
while he was in the UK for his Masters Degree. The condition is such that the
Prison authorities had to write to the relevant quarters since they lack the
requisite facilities to cater for his ailment. In fact, the hospital that he
was rushed to when he collapsed in the UK had to send a report down here. Do
you know that he also collapsed in the Ikot Ekpene Medium Prison? I am making
this public so that Nigerians will know that the life of an innocent and
promising citizen is at stake. It is that serious. The last time we were in court,
he could barely walk. The court had to allow him to sit which is only a
privilege for accused persons.
The advocacy for Odudu’s release seems to have taken the form of
attacks against Gov. Godswill Akpabio, instead of appeal to the governor?
Well, it depends on how you look at it. For me, the era of
appealing to the conscience of the oppressors is over. If Akpabio had
conscience, Odudu would not have been detained in the first place given the
plausible, cogent and verifiable fact that his father was assassinated by
‘politically motivated assassins’. I did not originate this, the Police
Investigation Report dated 25th March, 2014 and signed by the IPO, Sgt. Ibediro
Nnamdi, said that clearly. The report went further to recommend that further
investigation be carried out to unravel the real killers of the late outspoken
chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Albert Jimmy Ukpanah. We have
had countless assassinations in Akwa Ibom State since 2007. Quoting an annual
report by the Nigeria Police Force, a Sunday
Punch report of November 21, 2010 (page 3) said Akwa Ibom State had the
highest record of politically motivated killings. The report said that in 2009
alone, Akwa Ibom recorded 177 murders, most of which are said to be politically
motivated. So, if they are saying that Odudu, the only son of his father and a
Masters Degree holder in Oil and Gas Management from Coventry University, UK,
killed his own father, are they also saying that the other persons that have
been murdered in the state were also killed by their children? So, if people
are attacking Akpabio it is as a result of provocation, and provocation is a
strong defence in law. I cannot beg Akpabio to do what is right. It is an
obligation that he swore to perform. In any case, respect is earned not forced.
Why do you think it took Odudu’s family so long before they raised
alarm against his continuous detention, if they knew that he was innocent?
Looking at the totality of the circumstances of this case
and the status of the persons involved, what did you expect them to do? You
know that Akwa Ibom State is one strange land where the average person dreads
the government. It is a state where the mass of the people see the governor as
a god who can give and take life at will. Very few people in that state can
stand up to injustice and speak truth to power. Again I think that they were
equally credulous by thinking that with time, Governor Akpabio will let sanity
prevail. People kept telling them not to speak out given what befell their
father as a result of speaking out.
Is there any prospect that he may be released soon?
I have no doubt in my mind that there will be light at the
end of the tunnel. The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and we
are confident that the court will live up to its sacred responsibility as the
guardian of the Constitution and the comforter of the oppressed. The ruling on
his bail application was slated for Wednesday 7th January, 2014, but it was
stalled by the strike by judicial workers. Beyond this, we are hopeful that our
campaigns will not be in vain.
You’ve been in constant touch with Odudu’s sisters – Uduak and Ofonime.
Do you know if they have received any threat message since they started this
public campaign for the release of their brother?
You cannot confront evil without receiving threats from the
evil ones. I can confirm to you that one of the three sisters of Odudu, Ofonime
Pushie Ukpanah has been threatened by some female relatives of the Governor.
But there is no cause for alarm because the cause we are fighting is a just
cause. Those who think they own Akwa Ibom State will never prevail.
How about you? Have you received any threat message?
My brother, threats mean nothing to me. If you look into my
antecedents you will see that I am not someone that any mortal can threaten
into submission, I have passed that level. This is not the first battle that I
have taken up so why should I border myself about these little tyrants. There
is no day that people do not advise me to be careful, but I always tell them
that only God can protect me.
There are some persons who believe that the #ReleaseOduduUkpanah
campaign may complicate issues for Odudu in detention?
Those people are slaves in love with their chains. How can
people be thinking in such defeatist manner after Odudu has spent eight months
in custody? I respect their view but I defer totally from them. It was the
Great Lord Denning MR who posited in the popular case of R versus Metropolitan
Police Commissioner, Ex parte Blackburn that “silence is not an option when
things are ill-done”. We cannot keep quiet over this case because that will
amount to setting a dangerous and cancerous precedent.
What would you say to people out there who may believe that Odudu could
possibly have a hand in his father’s death?
I am yet to see a single person with that belief, but in
case there is one, I will advise the person to read the Police Investigation
Report dated 25th March, 2014 and signed by the IPO, Sgt. Ibediro Nnamdi. The
report clearly stated that the assassination of the slain outspoken politician
was politically motivated and also recommended that further investigation be
carried out to unravel the real killers of Hon. Engr. Albert Jimmy Ukpanah. I
also wish to let such a person know that Section. 36 ( 5 ) of the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended ) presumes Odudu innocent
until proven guilty before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Elections are around the corner. What political impact do you think
Odudu Ukpanah’s detention would likely have on Governor Godswill Akpabio?
There is a popular view that Odudu Ukpanah's detention has
offered credulous Nigerians the opportunity to truly appraise the character of
Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio. Those who were seduced by the government's
populist propaganda have been so shamed by this case. Also, the governor has
used his hands to put his name on the global record of heartless human rights
violators. I know countless people who prior to this case were sympathetic to
the governor but today, they do not want to hear the name Godswill Obot
Akpabio. I strongly believe that the Governor will give account of his role in
this case before God. So the game is up for governor Akpabio.
This mr Inibehe Effiong, sound like one of them male amebo. reading through his replies to most of the questions he was asked, he too is also clearly attacking the Governor. so what are we saying then? if you are wrongly accuse yourself, would you be happy to give an audience to such a person or group of people?
ReplyDelete@ Aitee Inibehe might be amebo to you. But to me this is the kind of men we need in this generation. Yes Akwa Ibom have a huge number of politically motivated killings.
DeleteRubbish article. sounds like one of them tales by moonlight stories. you can even tell the so called interview is made up. what people wont do to drive traffic to thier websites these days. metechew!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish you or your family member was involved in all of these then you will know why their heart bleeds for justice.
DeleteNa wha oh!!, wetin dem no go accuse the man of. all sorts of lies and accusations from different corners. me i believe my Governor oh, and i know he is too educated and focused to respond to the likes of bootlickers like Effiong who go around seeking attention from politicians and helping their sponsors rub the name of opponents in the mud, all in the guise of human rights.
ReplyDeleteHmm... Watch your comments because in years to come it might be used against you during a job interview or even against your kids. All that is being asked for is Justice. Using abusive words doesn't help anyone but only tells who you are, questions your credibility and what you stand for.
ReplyDeleteLol...the almighty activist!!! please doesnt the ilment have name?? Like seriously, u spent your chrismas with him? How touching. Back to the matter, your answers to the questions seem cooked. I dont even see how this concerns Akpabio, i sence preferential treatment here because definitely, this young dude isnt the only on ever been accused and detained for that long. About that police report, how straight forward is it to claim is was politically motivated???
ReplyDeleteyou are a blocked headed person. Why SHOULD THEY EVER DETAIN ODUDU FOR 8 MONTHS without trial?
Deleteit is your generation and the ones yet to come that are block headed!!! I guess you are the "general overseer-er" to know how to police should do their job.
DeleteUnbelievable! Crap! he looks like a graduate job hunting. Activist koh activist ni. Just because this interveiw was planned, you cant give details. If truly all these are happenning and you aint scared of threats, why not let us know the relative that is threatening the daughter? you will just be creating lies upon lies.
ReplyDeleteHaunting indeed! Why are people like this ehn? They want to drag Akpabio into everything. You people should leave that man alone to continue doing the good work he is doing in Akwaibom state. Akpabio is not the Police neither is he the Judiciary. Table your complaints to the appropriate quarters biko. All this half baked activist looking for how too feed themselves. Tueh.
ReplyDeleteThese Akpabio's relatives have no names abi? I like it when stories like this are supported with substantial evidence. This piece I'm reading now only seems stifled, unbelievable and reeks of mischief. Looks to me like any story without Akpabio gets no attention and so you all find a way to drag him into every story. But you all forget one thing, Akpabio's credentials speak volumes for him. I'll leave it at that.
ReplyDeletePlease which Akwa-Ibom state is he talking about that everyone dreads the government? This is just one thirsty activist that is trying to be popular by all means. abeg waka pass!
ReplyDeleteSee, if this guy truly cared about the victim, he won't be here in his sharp suit trying to make sensational headlines. His report doesn't even appear accurate because of how sweet he wants the story to sound. There are plenty non governmental organizations he can appeal to that will help this case. Just leave Gov. Akpabio alone, he's not the cause of your problem.
ReplyDelete