Murder of Three Brothers in cold blood:Helen Ukpabio Cries For Justice, Buries Mum, Sister Same Day

 

-         As Community Groans in Harvest of Tears

It was a harvest of what an observer described as “endless tears” as the people of  Mbente village in Nkari Clan of Ini local government area of Akwa Ibom witnessed the burial of the mother and younger sister of Lady Apostle (Mrs) Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel Church on Saturday January 26, 2013.

Fondly called Mama by her children, Late Madame Atim Essesien Akpabio, aged 72 years, was said to have slumped on Sunday November 25, 2012 and gave up the ghost at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital the next day. 

 

Her demise has been carefully linked to the tortuous psychological stress she must have gone through since she witnessed  the killing of her three children by an SSS officer in company of some Police men alleged to have been detailed to do so by a highly placed son of Ini local government area who had once contested election to be governor and senator respectively.

Helen Ukpabio’s mother was said to have been “worn out by stress and constant worry as she grew weaker by the day. She constantly spoke of her dead sons and severally replayed the murder scene in her head. She kept asking about what had  happened to the murderers of her sons; she asked when they will eventually be arrested; she asked why her sons were killed”, and perhaps having no answers to such questions, she got stuck and died. Mama’s beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Akpabio died on hearing of her brothers’ death.

Court Orders First Bank To Pay N1.2m Damages For Freezing Customer’s A/C

First Bank of Nigeria Plc has been ordered by the High Court of Akwa Ibom State presided over by Justice Philomena S. Etim to pay N1m general damages in favor of one Pastor Kelly Eyo Nelson of Great Harvest Ministry, Uyo and N200,000.00 for cost of action in Suit No.HU/183/2010, according to the Judge’s ruling on Tuesday January 15, 2013 at High Court three.

 In his statement of Claim, Pastor Nelson had said his account was reportedly frozen when in July 2009 one Pastor George Godwin Ekpo approached a branch of First Bank at Ikorodu to pay into his account the sum of N2m which was to be used by him to purchase a land for the expansion of his Ministry.

He further stated that on trying to make withdrawals using his ATM Card the machine refused to pay him with the message, “Invalid transaction, please contact your bank for advice”.

According to Pastor Nelson, even an attempt to withdraw cash with a debit slip was not honored which caused him to approach the Branch Manager of the bank at Oron road, one Mr Anyanor Sylvester who disclosed to him that his account was frozen based on a letter from the Nigeria Police Area Command, Uyo.

BCSCelebrates Leader OBU’s Birthday

By Matts Udoaka

Leader Olumba O. Obu, the Sole Spiritual Head of BCS

Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, one of the foremost religious bodies that believe in the birth of  Christ, moved a step further on Sunday the 30^th of December, 2012 by celebrating the birth of the Sole Spiritual Head of the Organization, described by one of the members as “the apotheosis Leader O. O. Obu”, in grand style.

In the celebration of joy that featured the rendition of known Brotherhood carols and choruses, exchange of gift items and pleasantries, the elated Akwa Ibom State Leader’s Representative of the fold, Apostle Etim Ante, surrounded by known personalities of the fold in Akwa Ibom like Apostle Sam Efiok, Pastor Augustine Udosen, Pastor Engr. Aniedi Obot, Apostle Mike O. Udo, Pastor Ubong Inyang and others reminisced about the existence of the past avatar like Melchisedec whose birth was not recognized whilst his evangelical crusade cut across Hebron to Damascus and other places.

MOLESTATION OF JOURNALIST BY SSS & POLICE: Governor Akpabio Apologises

It was an uncommon sight to behold on Thursday January 17, 2013 when the most popular and decorated governor in Nigeria, Sir Dr. Godswill Akpabio demonstrated humility as he apologized to Mr. Kazeem Ibrahim, a Correspondent of The Nation newspaper who was brutalized by two officers of the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police Force at the Banquet Hall of Akwa Ibom State government.

 The event which was a thanksgiving service in honor of governor Akpabio’s 50 years anniversary was held  in December 2012 and Mr Kazeem went to cover the event.  It was reported to the governor by the publisher of Golden Thymes newspaper, Mr Samuel Joshua, and the governor promptly apologized to Mr Kazeem and all the Journalists, promising that such a thing will not repeat itself.

 The governor explained that such a bizarre  would not have occurred in a state event, but said it was because the National Security Adviser of the country was there at the venue of the event, his presence and the terrorist tendencies could have tensed up the environment which caused the security men to behave the way they did.

 The governor charged Journalists to do self introspection in 2013 and keep to the ethics of their work, adding that the ably qualified Journalists in the state could come together to form a strong national newspaper.  He said individuals in the country were busy applying for license to operate private Radio and Television Stations.

He used the occasion to announce the donation of four new buses to aid media activities of the chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the State.  He also donated a bus to the AKBC chapel of the NUJ.

 In his remarks, Comrade Joe Effiong thanked the governor for the four new buses donated to the NUJ, the new printing machine meant for The Pioneer newspaper, the digital transmitter/studio provided for the AKBC but appealed to the governor to assist complete the new  NUJ Secretariat and construct the Information Drive, which he said was the shortest road in Uyo where office of The Pioneer newspaper and NUJ Secretariat were located.

 

AKS Lawmaker in Trouble: Risks N10m Damages For Breach Of Dinuty Of Care

The Proprietor of Esteem Secondary School, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, a former lawmaker in the National Assembly may risk N10million in damages and tender “unreserved and duly publicized apology” to  Mr and Mrs Assiununkagh EtukAkpan and their son Master Godswill A. EtukAkpan, a JSS 2 Student in his school for a serious injury sustained by the boy which led to his second toe being amputated and the big toe “severely disfigured and scarified”.

Master G's second toe on the left leg amputated

 

The boy’s woes started since 20^th October 2012 when a driver of the proprietor named Philip instructed Master Godswill and other students to clear debris from an uncompleted building within the school premises to pave way for stacking of floor tiles which were being off-loaded from the Hilux driven by the said Philip.

Our reporter learnt that the debris included wooden frames and planks with nails, used in the construction works of a two-storey hostel building in the school.  The source who did not want to be named in this report said materials were thrown from atop the building and that one of the planks thrown from second floor of the building by a student landed on Master Godswill’s left foot and caused severe injury to his two toes.  The boy was said to have been taken to Cedar & Olive Clinic in Abak by Philip and one Uncle Isaiah(alias Mekan), given first aid and brought back to school and the episode continued for three days.

ATTAH, AKPABIO RIFT: Real Reasons Why The Peace Deal Crashed

 

I built an Airport, MRO, best runway, IPP, ICT park etc. – Victor Attah

Attah Twisted the Facts, Gave no credit to his Successor – Godswill Akpabio

The peace deal believed to have been brokered by Bishop Ekuwem and others between former Governor Victor Attah and the sitting Governor Sir Dr. Godswill Akpabio may have been thought of by many political pundits as the end of the almost five years political limbo which existed between the duo of a mentor and a ruling god-son in a State believed to be named after God.

 As astonishing as the revelations rolled through the insights given by Governor Akpabio when he met with Journalists recently  in what was to be a tour of some projects sites in the state, but failed because of other very pressing engagement which the Governor had and he eventually gave room for questions on issues about the state.  The governor jokingly asked that if there were nothing to ask because of his uncommon approach to transforming the state, he was ready to listen to gossips peddled about people in the state.

 Of all the questions asked by Journalists, two issues preoccupied the mind of the state chief executive.  One was on the issues tackled by the Information Commissioner to governor Akpabio, Mr Aniekan Umanah,  concerning a write up by former governor Victor Attah entitled “Insights into Onshore-Offshore Dichotomy” in which the former governor vehemently stated that despite the mere N600million he used to get every month from federation account(because Akwa Ibom was then classified as non-oil producing state), he was able to “build an airport with a maintenance hangar and the best runway in the country”.

 Akpabio’s information boss in capturing Victor Attah’s claims quoted in a pamphlet that was circulated to Journalists entitled, “Re:Insights into Onshore-Offshore Dichotomy – Arc(Obong) Victor Attah  Twisted some Facts”,  thus; “I built an Independent Power Plant(IPP) of 191 megawatt capacity; I built Le-Meridien Hotel with a Marina resort and a golf course…I built housing estates, hospitals, schools; I built roads;  gave the people pipe borne water and rural electrification.  I started a University of Technology and an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) park with a major incubation centre; I initiated a design for the deep-sea port at Ibaka…”

Alleged Sale of Oku Land at Shopping Centre:Uyo Leaders Council Absolves C/man of Blame

The leadership and members of Uyo leaders Council, rising from a meeting held at House F10, Shelter Afrique Housing Estate, Mbiabong Etoi, Uyo, have exonerated the Chairman of Uyo local government Council, Otuekong Ekerette Ekpenyong of blame over alleged sales of land at Uyo shopping centre claimed to be the property of Oku Clan in Uyo local government area to the managing Director of Nsik Motors without reference to the land owners.

In a press release signed on behalf of all the members by the Chairman of the “forum”, Obong(Hon.) Tony Asikpo(uko uyo)  dated February 22, 2013, and made available to Weekly Insight reportorial desk, the forum “observed with great dismay the contentions, comments and uproar made” on the said matter by “the youths of Ikot Udoro Oku”, stating that “records and facts” available at their disposal, as “former leaders” of Uyo “indicate that the property was dully acquired by Uyo local government council and compensation paid to the community, even after the creation of Nsit Atai, Ibesikpo Asutan and Uruan local government councils out of Uyo”.

According to the forum, “the property was still given to Uyo as her bonafide property and since then the property had been under the administration of Uyo local government”.

The forum stated that all documents on the said transaction as known to them confirm that the decision to lease out the property and the proceeds use for the completion of the “Royal Palace” was purely Uyo local government decision based on the recommendations sent to the council boss by “property verification committee” made up of former council chairmen and headed by Chief Clement Ekott; the “technical committee/Royal fathers on moribund properties”; the “economic blue print of Uyo local government” headed by Sir Dr. Val. Attah, adding that same was approved by the Finance and General Purpose Committee(FGPC) of the Council, Uyo legislative council as well as joint Council general meeting.

The forum said based on the foregoing, such decision over the shopping centre land was that of Uyo people and not that of the Council Chairman as touted by detractors and described the brouhaha as a “non-issue and political distraction caused by 2015 elections”.  They also argued that to the best of their understanding, Prince Ekerette Ekpenyong was yet to indicate interest to contest any elective office or seek a second term as chairman in 2015.

Lending their voice to the issue of relocation of motor parks which the chairman may have been falsely accused of opposing the state government’s decision, the forum said though the Constitution of the country gives the right of operation and management of motor parks/markets to local government councils which Uyo LGA reserves such right to own a motor park  to boost internally generated funds for council coffers, that they “welcome wholeheartedly any effort by both council/state”  to curb the chaotic traffic situation and what they called “social menace”  in the metropolis, which seems to under mind the uncommon transformation/beautification of the city by Chief Akpabio’s administration.

The forum, with emphatic stress to bring about a “lasting/enduring solution…justice, equity and fairness to Uyo local government council” requested that Uyo local government council be made to be adequately involved in the process and management of the parks in Uyo.

The forum appealed to the state government to re-visit the issue of most properties of Uyo local government council used by state agencies to render social and economic services to the people of the state such as Uyo low cost housing units used by former Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Abak road and Security Village used by Ministry of Social Development.

The forum, made up of former Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Secretaries of Council, Party Stalwarts and Women leaders of Uyo local government origin, expressed satisfaction on the transformation of Uyo council secretariat with construction of new office for the Chairman, new Legislative Chambers, administrative blocks and prompt payment of salaries, despite what the forum calls “lean financial allocations”.

The chairman’s bold step at awarding revenue contracts to Uyo people was commended by the forum which also frowned at agents who could not perform creditably, urging the Chairman to engage credible consultants, where things go wrong, to get positive results.

Uwak Sponsors Motion To Include AKS Ex-Militants In Amnesty Programme

Worried by the fact that Ex-Militants from Akwa Ibom State were not included in the Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government declared by Late President Musa Yar’dua in 2009, Hon. Robinson Uwak, representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Reps,  on Thursday February 7, 2013  presented a Motion, arguing that ex-militants from Akwa Ibom State be included in the Amnesty programme.

He argued that such exclusion could cause those ex-militants to be engaged in the wrong way, which could further degenerate into disruption of oil businesses and cause another national crisis.

Hon. Robinson Uwak, Rep. Oron Fed. Const. House of Reps, Nigeria

He maintained that Akwa Ibom State accounts for a good number of the ex-militants that gave up their arms to embrace peace after the proclamation of the Amnesty granted by the Late President Yar’adua in 2009.

Hon. Uwak wondered how a State like  Akwa Ibom State which he said “is the leading oil producing state in the Niger Delta and … has a record of contributing a sizeable amount to the Nation’s wealth and Economy”, could have his indigenes and even non-indigenes who hibernated in the creeks of the State during the time of their collective struggle could be excluded from the Amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

Emperor Politics

By Osondu Ahirika

The Federal House of Representatives is set on a warpath with the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, having berated the latter, for opposing moves to grant autonomy to Local Government Councils and State Houses of Assembly. Reps insist on the autonomy canvassing that, the opposite is what drives the absolutism and high handedness demonstrated by Governor’s in their various States, as well as nurture the cesspool of corruption and pilfering in high places.

In a terse statement which was signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Hon. Zakari Mohammned, the Reps dismissed the governors as well as their wives as living like demigods, in reaction to Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano State’s disclosure of the opposition of the powerful Governors Forum to that advocacy. Kwakwanso who himself is a former Rep accused the National Assembly of allowing its hallowed portals to be turned into breeding ground for rebellion, from State legislators in particular and Council officials at the third tier to the state governors

Osondu Ahirika, Columnist.

Reps in the statement say governors have frontally eroded democratic ideals, turning themselves into demigods in the name of joint accounts, and hear this; “IF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS INDEPENDENT AS ITS BEING PROPOSED, IT WOULD GIVE OUR TEEMING ELECTORATE A VOICE, NOT THE SITUATION THAT KEEPS THE GOVERNORS AS EMPERORS OF THEIR VARIOUS ENCLAVES”, the Statement read. Reps even allege that: “… Just recently, a governors’ wife who has no constitutional powers via a memo from her office, sacked an elected councilor although, this has since been reversed. It shows how Mr Kwakwanso and his cohorts (Read fellow Governors) play with our Collective commonwealth”.

We Stand To Defend the Norms of Democracy in Essu Nlap Oro Apostle Etim Ante, President, Esu Nlap Oro

Apostle Etim Ante is from Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom.  He is a one time Chairman of that local government area.  Apostle Ante has been a state Officer of the ruling PDP, a representative of the Leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in Akwa Ibom State and International President  of Essu Nlap Oro Development Organisation.  In this interview, Apostle Ante tells the story of those who founded the Essu Nlap Oro Development Organisation, their dreams, why the name of the body was modified, the pranks played by some persons he calls  “disgruntled elements” who sought to lead Essu Nlap Oro through the back door and a lot more.  Excerpts…

We would like to know Apostle Ante?

By the grace of God I am Apostle Etim Ante, the incumbent International President of Essu Nlap Oro Development organization, former chairman of a local government area, Mbo, to be precise and former State officer of PDP. Currently, I am the representative of the Leaders’ Forum, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Akwa Ibom State.

As the pioneer president of Supreme Council of Oro Youths and now re-elected, how do you feel?

I feel delighted and honoured, I feel that the youths of Oro have reciprocated the good gesture of my leadership. I mean the type of leadership God used me to provide for them in the last three years during my first tenure. By the grace of God, I deserve this honour, because as a matter of fact, Oro nation is a very peaceful place for the inhabitants. I inherited a very chaotic environment. The entire place was in disarray; cult activities, armed robbery and kidnapping were rampant in Oro nation. But, upon my assumption of office as International president, God has really turned things around, and there is actually peace in the nation. Oro youths have appreciated this by asking me to lead again. This time around, there is going to be a remarkable progress, and empowerment for the youths and entire people of Oro nation.

Apostle Etim Ante, International President Essu Nlap Oro

 

 

We learnt there were controversies before the election; could you please tell us why these things happened?

It was because of undue interference. Some persons and authorities, tried to meddle into the internal affairs of Essu Nlap Oro Development Organisation. Normally, when we started the organization, we were in the process of putting our Constitution in place. When the constitution finally came into existence, the name Essu Nlap Oro could not get through at Corporate Affairs Commission, and we were advised to either call it Essu Nlap Oro Development Organisation, Essu Nlap Oro Development Association or Essu Nlap Oro Development Initiative. So this was done. Since the Essu Nlap Oro has international status, there was need for us to put few things in order. Initially, as the national president, my tentacles stopped within the shores of Nigeria. When the constitution came out and was approved for operation, certain disgruntled elements who could not have the patient to work with us, because as at then the association was at the embryonic stage which demanded many of us to put down our resources together to nurture the association. But when the association got to a stage of maturity, across the globe, some persons felt they could come through the window to hijack the association without knowing the internal arrangements, they started making noise that the name of the organization was changed from Essu Nlap Oro to Essu Nlap Oro Development Organisation. These are the people who are not financial members of the group. Some of them have never attended the meetings for once, talk less of knowing what transpired during the formative stage of the group. When they started making noise, the Traditional Rulers Council of Oro wedded in since it was the Traditional Rulers Council that midwifed the association to serve as a platform for youths to articulate their positions, and by extension the Oro Nation. So the council of Traditional Rulers has supervisory and advisory role [to play]. So the issue was brought to the Traditional Rulers’ Council and a committee was set up. When they were discussing the report, surprisingly, and to our greatest dismay the committee who claimed to have the support of Ahta Oro, went and conducted election on their own. 

AKS Budget To Pursue Higher Standards of Living -Finance Commissioner

The 2013 Akwa Ibom State budget has been described as being on course to consolidate on the gains of Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio’s administration.

The statement was made last week by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan at the 2013 budget breakdown presentation to the media and other stakeholders at Le Merridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.

He said the budget which was signed in law on January 14, 2013 by Governor Akpabio will ensure a higher standard of living, employment creation for the people of the state and the completion of all on-going projects.

Bassey Albert Akpan, Finance Commissioner

He stated that Governor Godswill Akpabio has demonstrated a strong commitment towards a greater Akwa Ibom State and that the administration had never gone above the approved budget as passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

He commended the state Legislature for the understanding with the executive on the budget implementation. 

2015 Guber Race: Group Debunks Media Report Against Effiong Abia

Barely twenty four hours after the local tabloid (not the Sensor) published a news item with screaming headline entitled “2015 Guber Race: Effiong Abia's Plot to blackmail Governor Akpabio Exposed” a group has lampooned the Newspaper, describing the publication as misleading, false, baseless and malicious capable of causing disaffection between Governor Akpabio and Effiong Abia, Esq. the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The group under the auspicious of Movement for Democracy and Good Governance, (MDGG) in a release expressed dismay at the spurious allegation and wondered what frustration should have compelled the owner or publisher of The Newspaper to condescend to fabricate falsehood in desperation to scurry non existing political patronage. 

As Their Political Feud Deepens: Attah, Akpabio Tread Insults

I Over-advised Attah – Akpabio

You  Are a Confused Young man – Attah

The hope of many politicians who appear overtly or covertly closed to the former and present governors of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah and Sir Dr. Godswill Akpabio could have been rekindled when they heard that the duo had resolved their long held differences a few weeks ago.  That hope got dashed when the former governor felt uncomfortable with the remarks made by his god-son when he spoke to some Journalists in his office and dwelt on many issues.

former Gov. Arc. Victor Bassey Udoh Adiaha Attah

Ever since that interview published by Vanguard newspaper of Monday January 21, 2013, came to light, more fireworks have been ignited including the reactions by the governor’s former boss.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

Governor Akpabio had raised many issues including his anger about how he used to take a motorbike from Ikot Ekpene to his Essien Udim country home, because there were no motor able roads to his place.  He also stated that he was building the state from the “scratch as if Akwa Ibom was born today”.  He had recounted in that interview how he brought a heap of sand to fill bad spots of Calabar [Itu] road when former President Obasanjo was about to come to Akwa Ibom.

He recalled in the interview how he advised governor Attah that something should be done about the road[bad portions of Calabar Itu road], but a vexed governor Attah said, “get out, is it my father’s road?”. Governor Akpabio said when he referred Attah to the visitors who were coming with Obasanjo,  governor Attah said, “is it my business to fix federal roads? Will you get out of this place”.  Governor Akpabio then observed, “so I was a man who over-advised.” In his words Akpabio further said, “At times you have to be very careful how you advise government because the reason my former governor picked quarrels with me is because I over advised, if you over-advise government, you become an opposition even with your best intention”.

Police’s Stray Bullets Injure Four at Funeral Ceremony

By Augustine Akpan and KoKo Robson

Adding salt into injury, tears pains and sorrows obviously synonymous to burial event were further compounded in a funeral ceremony of late Helen Nathaniel held in her family compound at Ikot Ebidang, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last Saturday when four men attending the event were caught by stray bullets on the heels of the fracas that broke out in the event.

The sad incident occurred at the close of the funeral proceedings, when a group of sympathizers who attended the event by a chartered bus returned to book their places only to discover a strange face that was not part of the trip also struggling for a place in the bus. When one of the legitimate members of the trip asked out the intruder from the vehicle to pave way for those that travelled with the bus to return safely yielded no fruit than disagreement and show of effrontery, prompting the Policeman present at the event to step in to calm the situation. 

Royal Father Denies Allegation Of Embezzlement

By Mkpouto Edet

The embattled “village head” of Nungette in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Chief Archibong Etim Udo, has denied an allegation of misappropriation and embezzlement of funds belonging to the village. He stated this during the week while in a chat with our reporter.

Nungette village is currently embroiled in a legal tussle over alleged misappropriation of over N7million for the compensation for a piece of land in the community acquired by the state government. Chief Archibong denied the allegation but is believed to have presented a cheque to the court in the tune of N2,404,750 as the compensation money.

The village head who is currently under suspension was accused by one Thomas Okon Akpan, a native of Nungette village who is said to be a former lawmaker in the State House of Assembly of the former Cross River State.

Following the petition by the former lawmaker, the state had instituted a court case against Chief Archibong Etim Udo and nine others in 2009 before the High Court under Itu Judicial Division in Suit No. HU/210.

However, in his ruling the presiding Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham had discharged and acquitted the accused persons for the failure on the part of the prosecution to make a prima-facie case of conspiracy against the accused as claimed by the state.      

The case has been adjourned for defence in February.   Speaking with our reporter, the suspended village head said he used the money for the construction of a community secondary school and one is yet to be completed in Nungette village.

He further explained that, he has graded roads, opened new roads and electrified the community, adding that his opponent was contending to take the mantle from him out of envy.

Recently, at the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, the commissioner appointed Chief Aloysius Asuquo and Chief Christopher Sunday to oversee the affairs of the community pending the resolution of the village headship tussle said to have been moved to a higher Court for trail.