26th March, 2011
Former Minister of state for Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom state gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria; Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, was on Friday arraigned before Justice Adamu Bello of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a four-count treason charge, in connection with the political upheavals which rocked Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state last 22 March.
Senator Akpanudoedehe was alleged to have conspired with others who are at large to commit treasonable felony by levying war against the state with intent to cause such levying of war as would intimate or over awe the Governor of the state, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The former Minister and his alleged conspirators were also alleged to have discharged several gun shots at the Governor of the state, Mr. Godswill Akpabio while on his official assignment with the intent to intimidate him.
The Action Congress of Nigeria’s gubernatorial candidate pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes and attempted, through his counsel; Mr. Andem Ndem, to secure his bail through oral submissions but the effort was futile as the prosecution counsel; Mr. Godwin Ijeoma, a Superintendent of Police, opposed the bail application.
The presiding judge, Justice Adamu Bello subsequently ordered that the former minister be remanded in Police custody until Monday, 28th March, to give his lawyer time to file a formal application for bail before the court so as to put sufficient materials before the court to enable the court exercise its discretion one way or the other.
By Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
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