Murder of PDP Chieftain: High Court acquits son
Fri Jun 03, 2016 08:15:am National
3.2K By Buchi Obichie
Odudu Ukpanah, the son of the late Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Albert Ukpanah, was on Thursday discharged and acquitted of murder by a High Court in Akwa Ibom.
Justice Ezekiel Enang, the Presiding Judge, set him free as he ruled that the murder allegation leveled against Odudu by the police and the Akwa Ibom State Government could not be proved.
The Akwa Ibom State Government during the tenure of ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio, had accused Odudu, 33, a Master's Degree holder from Coventry University, UK, and the only son of the late Ukpanah, of killing his father.
The late Albert Ukpanah was assassinated on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at his residence; and a police report dated March 25, 2014 stated that the murder was "politically motivated."
Speaking on the acquittal of the younger Ukpanah, Inibehe Effiong, the convener of Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, stated that Odudu had been arrested and detained by the Akpabio government on a trumped up charge of murder which he knew nothing about.
Effiong stated, "Today, we have been vindicated and the devil has been put to shame. The malicious trial has finally ended on a victorious note as the court has affirmed our position that Odudu did not kill his father.
"I commend the judge for standing on the side of the truth and not submitting to the machinations of the evil ones. Justice has been served and the truth has been upheld."
Justice Ezekiel Enang, the Presiding Judge, set him free as he ruled that the murder allegation leveled against Odudu by the police and the Akwa Ibom State Government could not be proved.
The Akwa Ibom State Government during the tenure of ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio, had accused Odudu, 33, a Master's Degree holder from Coventry University, UK, and the only son of the late Ukpanah, of killing his father.
The late Albert Ukpanah was assassinated on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at his residence; and a police report dated March 25, 2014 stated that the murder was "politically motivated."
Speaking on the acquittal of the younger Ukpanah, Inibehe Effiong, the convener of Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, stated that Odudu had been arrested and detained by the Akpabio government on a trumped up charge of murder which he knew nothing about.
Effiong stated, "Today, we have been vindicated and the devil has been put to shame. The malicious trial has finally ended on a victorious note as the court has affirmed our position that Odudu did not kill his father.
"I commend the judge for standing on the side of the truth and not submitting to the machinations of the evil ones. Justice has been served and the truth has been upheld."
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