James Akpanudoedehe, gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Akwa Ibom State, was yesterday arraigned on charges of treason before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The presiding judge, Justice Adamu Bello, however declined to rule on the bail application argued by Akpanudoedehe’s counsel.
The judge adjourned the matter till Thursday and ordered that the accused be remanded in police custody.
Akpanudoedehe was represented by four lawyers, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). The ACN gubernatorial candidate was arrested and detained following the skirmishes that occurred in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last Tuesday, between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition party, the ACN.
During the mayhem, 247 new vehicles and 127 tricycles were burnt. The value of the property was estimated at N2 billion. Four persons also died during the crisis.
Representing Akpanudoedehe were Rickey Tarfa, Kola Awodein, Adeniyi Akintola and Yemi Osibajo, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria. They told the court that the whole essence of pressing charges against the ACN candidate was to keep him out of contention in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State, which is also being contested by Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of the PDP.
Counsel for the defendant also told the court that the accused was being prosecuted merely because he belonged to a rival political party and that he knew nothing about the political unrest for which he was being detained.
They further told the court that Senator Akpanudoedehe was ill and in constant need of medical attention. They further averred that the senator was a person of integrity and as such, would not jump bail.
Justice Adamu Bello however declined to rule on the bail application and adjourned the matter till Thursday. Hundreds of youths from Akwa Ibom State thronged Abuja to protest Akpanudoedah’s detention.
