Dust raised by the arrest and arraignment of High Chief Effiong Eso Ononokpono by Chief Godswill Akpabio is yet to rest as groups within and outside Oro nation are threatening fire should the former lawmaker be subjected to further intimidation and harassment. Chief Ononokpono was arrested Thursday, March 25 and arraigned in Magistrate's Court 1 presided over by Magistrate Edet Obot the following day on grounds of defamation of character of Gov. Akpabio through a paid advertorial in the Nation Newspaper of Thursday March, 25th 2010. The advertorial is alleged to have caused alarm and tension in the State as well as bringing public hatred to the Governor.
But in a swift reaction, a group of Oro elders and youths under the aegis of Oro Nations Forum condemned the arrest and urged the state government to work towards immediate release of Chief Onokpono or risk their anger which according to them will be shown in open detest and hatred to his government and his second term ambition. According to the group, who spoke at Oron on Saturday through its coordinator, Chief Edet Eyongette, democracy cannot survive if responsible individuals fail to hold the government accountable on problems threatening the peace and development of the society. They said the arrest of the former lawmaker was to “disintegrate Oro nation especially as the general election was drawing closer. This is what is happening to the Ibibio, it is a divide and rule antics which has been adopted by this government at several instances. Regrettably, our sons in government are agents of destabilization. There is no way they would have condescended to being used by the government to victimize our people here in Oro nation. You know the Attorney general is our son and is now used in a suit against a father and senior citizen of Oro nation on a flimsy pretence. Pastor Oyong is equally not able to advise the governor to tolerate Chief Ononokpono's advice…but at the end we shall tell them that politics is not a platform to ride on the elders because most of us have been there”
The group while venting their spleen on the refusal of the presiding Magistrate to grant the accused bail called on the governor to work more on providing effective leadership to the state as well as reconciling with suggestions that can move the state forward.
Another indigene of Oro nation and an ex commissioner who spoke on condition of anonymity condemned in strong terms the arrest, saying it has sent wrong signal to the people of Oro nation by the governor. His words: “it is a slap on Oro nation for a man like Ononokpono to be treated like a child simply because he faulted some behaviors of Chief Akpabio. What the government fails to know is that not all people will keep quiet even when they are in great pains. Ononokpono is a fearless person who likes telling his story without fear or favor, affection or ill-will. In fact, the governor has failed to know that Chief Ononokpono commands a lot of followers in Oro nation, and he is one of the respected persons we have here. Therefore, whatever derogation and pain meted on him by the governor affects the entire Oro nation.”
Drawing his attention to a paid advertorial on page 15 of Weekly Insight newspaper by a group of Oro youths under the auspices of Project 4+4=8, with the caption; “Re: Question for Governor (Barr) Godswill Akpabio by Comrade (Hon) Effiong Ononokpono”, the erudite politician said that: “the advert is done by a group of peanut-seeking youths of Oro who are ready to kill their fathers and brothers for their selfish interest''.
In a separate interaction with newsmen during the commissioning of Senator Udoedehe's campaign Office at Oron penultimate weekend, a politician who has pitched his tent with Senator Udoedehe said “it is unfair for Ononokpono to be treated that way as if it was in a non-democratic dispensation. It is very unfortunate because in a democratic setting, everybody is entitled to say what he feels. When somebody says something that does not go down well with you, it is for you to defend your side. Whoever aspires to be a leader, be a governor or be a president is a property of the community. Every member of the society has the right to criticize. It is in your position to defend your own side. Not to arrest, and the impression that is created is unnecessary. Every Akwa Ibom has the right to comment, commend and disagree. In fact, it is unfortunate and does not occur well in a democratic dispensation.”
In a related development, a prominent son of Uyo, a one time minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe faulted Chief Akpabio over the arrest and detention of Chief Ononokpono, an action he said has proven that the governor is using his position to victimize the people of the state. In an advertorial carried by most media in the country, Senator John Udoedehe said: “ On Thursday, March 25th 2010 on page 11 of the Nation Newspaper, a Distinguished and Honorable statesman, Comrade (Hon) Effiong Ononokpono published 15 (fifteen) questions for the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, to answer. Still in that publication, this veteran of decent and open politics of the good days of yore offered His Excellency the Governor of Akwa Ibom State 5(five) pieces of advice.
“On that same Thursday March 25th 2010, in his reaction to the publication, His Excellency the governor, in a remarkable show of paranoia and intolerance that has characterized his administration, sent a team of armed policemen to Odobo-Okobo the home of Comrade Ononokpono to arrest and take the old man to the State Police Headquarters, Uyo where he was detained in the police cell after an intense and punitive interrogation. Later that same day, the old man was removed from the cell and taken to his home stead in Odobo-Okobo where his private residence was turned upside down in the name of conducting a search. The police had no search warrant. On Friday the 26th of March, 2010, Comrade Ononokpono was arraigned in the Uyo Chief Magistrate's Court No.1 presided over by Chief Magistrate Edet Obot on a two count charge of criminal defamation and causing alarm to the public. These two offences are misdemeanors and are bailable offences. Despite the presumption of innocence of the accused in law and the obvious deteriorating health of Comrade Ononokpono, an old man of 75 years of age, and despite the passionate plea of learned defense counsel for the bail of the accused, the learned Chief Magistrate Edet Obot ordered the old man with a life-threatening medical condition to be remaneded in prison custody in the Federal Prison, Uyo and adjourned the case to the 14th of May, 2010.
“Now, Comrade Ononokpono is in prison custody for daring to ask the questions which every citizen of Akwa Ibom State is entitled to ask of his or her governor and government. Comrade Ononokpono is in prison for offering 5 pieces of advice to His Excellency the governor on the path to peace and good governance in Akwa Ibom State. The basic principles of democracy contain intrinsically the right of the citizen to open and acceptable government and the right to ask question of his or her leaders. Regrettably, in Akwa Ibom State, a Gestopo style of governance, brooking no opposition or dissenting view is fast emerging with the leadership of Governor Akpabio. When His Excellency, Arch (Obong) Victor Attah was the governor of Akwa Ibom State. Some well known and respected citizens of the state persistently expressed their views and opinions in national and local newspapers and magazines against the government in power at that time. There was no arrest or detention of these individuals and they went about their private and official endeavors in and out of Akwa Ibom State freely. Now there is palpable fear and depression in our dear state created by the blinding intolerance and desperate desire of one man, Governor Godswill Akpabio to continue in office beyond 2011.
“Akwa Ibom State and its people now live in constant fear of kidnappers and general insecurity.
“Comrade Ononokpono is a sick old man. I pray that nothing happens to him in incarceration. Above all I pray for Akwa Ibom State and the people of Akwa Ibom state that God in His infinite mercies will deliver us from the hands of the destructive tyranny that has risen up like a monster in our dear state”.
Another indigene of Oro nation and an ex commissioner who spoke on condition of anonymity condemned in strong terms the arrest saying it has sent wrong signal to the people of Oro nation by the governor. His words: “it is a slap on Oro nation for a man like Ononokpono to be treated like a child simply because he faulted some behaviors of Chief Akpabio. What the government fails to know is that not all people will keep quiet even when they are in great pains. Ononokpono is a fearless person who likes telling his story without fear or favor, affection or ill-will. In fact, the governor has failed to know that Chief Ononokpono commands a lot of followers in Oro nation, and he is one of the respected persons we have here. Therefore, whatever derogation and pain meted on him by the governor affects the entire Oro nation.”
Drawing his attention to a paid advertorial on page 15 of Weekly Insight newspaper by a group of Oro youths under the auspices of Project 4+4=8, with the caption; “Re: Question for Governor (Barr) Godswill Akpabio by Comrade (Hon) Effiong Ononokpono”, the erudite politician said that: “the advert is done by a group of peanut-seeking youths of Oro who are ready to kill their fathers and brothers for their selfish interest
“You see, you can only survive or lick your fingers in Akpabio's administration only if you turn into a sycophant singing praises where they are not necessary and condemning those they see as governor's enemies publicly''.
Speaking to Global Concord during the commissioning of Senator Udoedehe's campaign Office at Oron penultimate weekend, the politician who has now pitched his tent with Senator Udoedehe said “it is unfair for Ononokpono to be treated that way as if it was in a non-democratic dispensation, it is very unfortunate because in a democratic setting, everybody is entitled to say what he feels. When somebody says something that does not go down well with you, it is for you to defend your side. Whoever aspires to be a leader, be a governor or be a president is a property of the community. Every member of the society has the right to criticize. It is in your position to defend your own side. Not to arrest, and the impression that is created is unnecessary. Every Akwa Ibom has the right to comment, commend and disagree. In fact, it is unfortunate and does not occur well in a democratic dispensation.”
On why he decided to align with Senator AkpanUdoedehe, the Seasoned politician and mafia of Oron politics (whose name is withheld by us) said: “I do appreciate Positive Change and I am a part of it, and I believe there's going to be a change. When you see a fighter, you have to align with him. John has been a fighter and when you look at the positive change we are having are in this state, it is as a result of a fighter. Right now, people are enjoying the result of that fighter and I believe in fighters. And somebody who has an open mind and open ears is a good leader. I like John and I promise to support him and I am supporting him.”
Meanwhile, Hon.Ononokpono was on Friday, the 16th day of march 2010 remanded in prison custody until May14,2010, by the Chief Magistrate's Court sitting in Uyo, following his paid advertorial in The Nation newspaper of Thursday 24th March 2010 where he asked the governor 15 questions and gave 5 advice to him which turned to irk the governor.
The arraignment in court of the 70years Old Okobo High Chief followed the search of his house by the state police headquarters, Ikot Akpanbia. The charge sheet No:MU/106/2010, titled; “ Commissioner of Police Vs Effiong Ononokpono, “ reads in part; “ that you Effiong Ononokpono (m) on the 25th day of March, 2010 published false news in the Nation Newspaper of 25th March, 2010 to the effect that the Government of Akwa Ibom State is using public funds to sponsor cultism in Akwa Ibom State with intent to cause alarm to the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 66(1) of the criminal code cap.38, vol.11, laws of Akwa Ibom State 2010.
“Count two, that you Effiong Ononokpono on the 25th day of March, 2010 published defamatory matter in the Nation Newspaper of 25th March,2010 to effect that the government of Akwa Ibom State has been paying ransom to kidnappers knowing same to be false and thereby committed and offence contrary to section 384 of the criminal code cap.38, vol.ii, laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria 2000.
The permanent secretary in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, Mr.Donatus Archibong was the prosecuting counsel, while Barr.Francis Ekanem led other prominent lawyers like Barr.Joe Ukpong, Barr. Nyong Nyong and Barr. Nkereuwem Udofia to defend Comrade Ononokpono.
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