Akwa Ibom Mayhem: Sen. Akpanudoedeh Charged With Treason

Details: Category: Law, Crime & Judiciary; Published on Saturday, 26 March 2011 22:00; Written by Tribune; Hits: 1695

The Federal Government on Friday charged the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s gubernatorial candidate in Akwa-Ibom State, John James Akpanudoedeh, with treason before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the political crisis in the state.

He was consequently remanded in the police custody till Tuesday when his bail application would be heard. He was arraigned on a four-count criminal charge bordering on treason and felony but pleaded not guilty to all.

Counsel to the accused, A.E Andem, brought oral application, praying the court to admit him to bail based on self recognizance, adding that the accused was in court based on a telephone call placed to him by the Nigerian Police.

He further informed the court that the accused had been a one- time Minister for State of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and hence would be available for trial, adding that no proof of evidence was attached to the charge filed against the accused.

The prosecuting counsel, Godwin Ijioma, however, opposed the bail application, stating that the offence which the accused was charged for was not bailable as it concerns the security of the state and the nation as a whole.

He added that the right of the accused had been put into consideration and that that was why he had been brought to court for trial within 48 hours.

The trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello, after hearing both parties refused to admit the accused to bail but rather ordered the defence counsel to reduce his oral argument to writing, as the court could not exercise its discretion as to granting bail on oral application.

The court, therefore, adjourned the matter till Tuesday to hear his bail application, but ordered that the accused be kept in the police custody till then.