By Akakan Umoh
A Magistrate Court in Uyo Magisterial District of Akwa Ibom has dismissed the false information case brought against Senior Legislative Assistant to the Nigerian Senate President and a licensed surveyor in the state.
Consequently, the court has discharged and acquitted Ubokobong Udoworen, an aide to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Akanimo Udom Udondon, a licensed surveyor.
The Akwa Ibom Police Command had arrested and detained the duo over alleged ‘raising of false alarm’ on Monday, April 22, 2024.
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Recall that Udom had lodged a formal complaint with Commissioner of Police and later addressed the press, urging him to investigate and ensure release of Udoworen, who was attacked by mob youths on January 19, 2024 in Ikot Ekpene and whose whereabouts was not known.
Later, Udoworen who is also the APC Youth Leader in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and Udom, his cousin, all from Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state were arrested and detained for three days at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia in Uyo Local Government Area over allegation of false information.
In Charge No. MU/118 .C/2024 before the court, the Commissioner of Police charged the duo ‘‘for conspiring amongst yourselves to carry put an unlawful purpose to wit: giving false information to the Public Officer and thereby committed an Offence punishable under section 502 of the Criminal Code, Cap 39, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria 2022.’’
The complainant also charged the defendants of reporting ‘‘a case of Missing Person, Assault and Suspected Murder of one Ubokobong Ime to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State (a Public Officer), knowing same to be false as at the time of the report and thereby committed an Offence punishable under section 125 of the Criminal Code, Cap 39, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa, Ibom State of Nigeria 2022.’’
Straightnews gathered that Udom, ‘M’, 41, and Udoworen, ‘M’, 40, were arraigned and later granted bail by the court on 24 April, 2024.
The online newspaper also gathered that the two suspects who committed assault and battery against Udoworen were invited by police for interrogation.
Regrettably, it was learnt that the suspects confessed to the crime and were alleged to have been caught with exhibits, yet they were not charged to court rather the complainants, in the first instance, were charged to court.
It was further gathered that the two suspects accused of raising false alarm had been frequenting the court for trial.
On 22 November, 2024, the prosecuting counsel, S. S. Ogar told the court that since the Investigation Police Officer (IPO) appeared in the court once, he had not showed up again.
“I have made several attempts to compel the IPO to come to the court, but to no avail. In this regard, I, therefore, seek withdrawal of the matter from court,” Ogar said.
Reacting to the submission, the defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Clifford Thomas, accepted the motion for withdrawal of the matter from the court.
Delivering judgement, the presiding Magistrate, Mr. Sam Ukoima commended both parties for their patience.
Ukoima, therefore, dismissed the case over what he saw as “lack of interest” on the matter by the prosecution party, and subsequently discharged and acquitted the suspects- Udom and Udoworen.
