The premises of an Abuja high court was today, turned into a drama theater, as a man granted bail by a Judge for lack of evidence, was rearrested by the complainants. Senator John James AkpanUdohehe who was arraigned on a four count of treason was
granted bail by the presiding judge, Justice Adamu Bello.According to ruling, “the police has no shred of evidence to link the politician with the alleged offence and that the plan to hold onto the accused, while the police go around to fish for evidence, has no place in our law”.
Huhuonline.com checks reveals that as soon as Justice Bello gave his ruling, confusion erupted inside the court house, as forty armed police men were observed lurking around, to seize the politician. Aware of his fate, Senator Udohehe remained court room.
After waiting a while, the police entered the court and effected Mr. AkpanUdohehe`s arrest.
However Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in statement signed by Chief Aniekan Willie Akpan, chairman Akwa Ibom chapter, labeled Senator AkpanUdohehe`s re-arrest “very primitive and a brazen show of might”, which may prove to be very costly for democracy and Nigeria.He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stand up for the rule of law to which he subscribe, noting that failure to release Senator Udoedehe immediately is likely to set off reactions which can truncate democracy in the country. Hear him:
“On Thursday, March 31, 2011, A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Bello in his wisdom, granted the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe bail in the trumped up charges of treasonable felony against him”.
“This news of the ruling by the learned Judge elicited joy and calmed the frayed nerves of the teeming supporters of the popular Candidate in Akwa Ibom State”.
“However, in a very primitive and brazen show of might, Senator Udoedehe was re-arrested in the Court room by the Police and taken to an unknown destination. As a party, we condemn this open display of partisanship by the Federal Government and its agent, the Police”.
“We have it on good an authority that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has conspired with the Speaker and Members of the State House of Assembly to pass an emergency obnoxious bill designed to detain our Candidate indefinitely aimed at stopping him from contesting the forth-coming general elections. This is against all known and acceptable democratic principles”.
“The action of Governor Akpabio, in collusion with the Nigerian Police which is reputed as the most corrupt Institution in the world is totally unacceptable. It is sad that the Nigeria Police Force has sold its soul to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio”.
“This is because, rather than act fairly and truthfully in the political crisis in Akwa Ibom State, the Police has chosen to favour Governor Akpabio who spares no amount of money in buying his way on any matter in Nigeria”.
“It is on record that the Police has received several reports and representations concerning how the Godswill Akpabio led government in Akwa Ibom State has mobilized cultists, organised them into groups, armed them with sophisticated weapons which they have used to foist a regime of insecurity in Akwa Ibom State but they chose to turn a blind eye to Governor Akpabio and his aide’s security breaches”.
“This latest provocation, the re-arrest of Distinguished Senator Udoedehe and the plan to put him away, may prove to be very costly for democracy and Nigeria and we urge President Goodluck Jonathan to stand up for the rule of law to which he subscribes”.
“It must be noted that failure to release Senator Udoedehe immediately is likely to set off reactions which can truncate democracy in the country”.
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