Akwa Ibom High Court has remanded a royal father in the state in prison custody over allegation of fraud and perjury leveled against him by two of his kinsmen, Straightnews has gathered.
Etebom Enefiok Effiong Okpon, the clan head of Oku in Uyo Local Government Area, who is the man in the eyes of the storm, is battling hard to wriggle himself out of the two-count charge.
The court presided over by Hon. Justice Archibong Archibong gave the order Monday, August 16 for the remand of the royal father in the prison custody.
Justice Archibong who sat at the state High Court No. 3 gave N26 million bond and two sureties of eminent persons residing in Uyo with landed property as conditions of bail for Etebom Okpon.
The Uyo monarch who is fighting hard to retain his throne readily met the bail conditions and was granted bail pending the further hearing of the case on November 9, 2021.
Recall that the suit under charge no. HU/43C/2021, between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP,) as the complainant, and Etebom Okpon, as the defendant, was filed by A. A. Ewa and S. A. Awerikure, the prosecution lawyers, at the state High Court on February 25, 2021.
Obong Edem Okon Eberefiak of Nnung Uyo Idoro Village and Eteidung Edet Ekpah of Nnung Obio Enang, Idoro Village, both in Uyo Local Government Area, had petitioned Etebom Okpon, the accused person before the Uyo Judicial Division of the High Court.
In a petition through their lawyer, Kamseabasi S. Ekaiko of Nwoko & Co, Plot 104 Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, the complainants had petitioned one Enefiok E. Okpon to Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the matter was referred to the Bureau for investigation and report.
The petitioners alleged that on December 8, 1993 and December 14, 1993, one Enefiok Okpon, who is now the clan head of Oku, had falsely sworn in Uyo Judicial Division that he is a native of Ikot Mbonde Itam in Itu Local Government Area.
They also alleged that between 1987 and 2012, when he was appointed the village head of Ikot Akpan Oku village and Clan Head of Oku in Uyo, Etebom Okpon, did not resign his appointment as a teacher with Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) as required by law, but was collecting salaries and stipends up to 2015, when he finally retired, thereby defrauding the state government of about N26 million.
However, the accused denied that he never swore to Affidavit on December 8, 1993 and December 14, 1993, maintaining that he was not a native of Ikot Mbonde Village in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State as alleged.
‘’The Affidavit in question is never originated or made by me as the signature on it is not mine. But the Affidavit dated 23/01/2018 which indicates that I am a native of Ikot Akpan Oku Village in Uyo LGA was made by me. The signature on it is mine.’
‘’I think I was made the Village Head of Ikot Akpan Oku in 1987 and the Clan Head of Oku Kingdom in the year 2012. Before I became a traditional ruler, I was a civil servant as a teacher with Akwa Ibom State Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Uyo. I retired from service several years ago after my 35 years in service,’’ he stated.
Upon investigation, the prosecution lawyer said in its letter no. MLG/CHF/31/S.46/111 and dated 29th August, 2019, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs, had acknowledged that Etebom Enefiok Okpon, was issued a certificate of recognition as the Village Head of Ikot Akpan Oku Village in Uyo Local Government Area on 22nd July, 2005 and that he was further certificated as the Clan Head of Oku Clan on 23rd September 2013.
On its part, SUBEB replied in a letter no. AK/SUBEB/S/083/VOL.1/181 dated 26th September, 2019, that the accused, Enefiok Effiong Okpon a.k.a Etebom Enefiok Okpon, was an employee of SUBEB as a teacher until 1st July, 2015 and retired after his 35 years of service on Grade Level 14/11 as a Principal Master 11 on annual salary of N144,486.40 and was last paid in June 2015.
When the case came for mention at the state High Court 3 in the Judiciary Headquarters, Uyo on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, the petitioner’s lawyer, Otu Inwang sought amendment to the sworn Affidavit.
Granting his request, the presiding Judge, Justice Archibong Archibong had adjourned the case to August 16 for further hearing.
Straightnews discovered that if the accused is found guilty under Section 404 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38 VOL.11 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2000, he will be liable for 7 years imprisonment.
Also, Straightnews gathered too that if he is found guilty of perjury under Sections 118 (1) and 119 (1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Vol. 11, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2000, he will be sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.
