A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mba Ukweni, has accused the Cross River State Government of deliberate efforts to protect murder suspects in the state while blackmailing Democratic Party House of Representatives candidates for the Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku Federal Constituency seats in the upcoming elections. , Peter Akpanke, on the same matter.
Ukweni, who is the principal counsel to the sacked candidate, made the allegation in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar yesterday.
Akpanke was previously declared wanted by the state police command in connection with the suspected murder of one Emmanuel Martin, a Police Inspector.
Martin, according to reports, was shot and killed on May 25, 2022, in Obudu, Cross River North, during the primaries of the PDP House of Representatives.
Ukweni described the police action as politically motivated and aimed at disrupting his client as he prepares for the election.
However, the state Police Command, speaking through its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Irene Ugbo, said it was implementing the court order “Re-Charge NO HC/80C/2022”, issued by Justice Blessing Ekpo of Cross River State High. Court.
SAN said: “Peter Akpanke did not run from the court, but we will state that Peter did nothing, the person who committed this offense was arrested and handed over to the police. The police have taken the statement. Unfortunately, the person who brought the killer of the Inspector was not tried .The person who fired the shot that killed the policeman was protected by the state governor and the state Attorney General should give a fiat to a private prosecutor, this shows the government’s interest in this matter.