The Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghori, today struck out a criminal case filed against Peter Akpanke, House of Representatives candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency in next year’s general elections, and four others.
In suit No: FHC/CA/14C/2022, filed on September 6, 2022, charges bordering on terrorism, murder, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms were preferred against KJ Jedy Agba, Elaunire Ushie, a House of Assembly Aspirant, Augustine Agba, and Joseph Akin, following the death of a police officer, one Emmanuel Mbang Ubi, an Inspector, who was shot in Obudu, during the May 23, 2022, House of Representatives primaries.
In her ruling, Justice Dugbo frowned at the prosecution and demanded that the prosecution perfects her case and not go on a wild goose chase, wasting the time of the court in the process. When she asked the prosecutor, whether his witnesses were in court, the prosecutor replied that they were not. The Court also asked about the defendants who the prosecutor said were not in his custody. She therefore struck out the case.
Speaking shortly after the verdict, Akpanke exclusively told www.calitown.com that, “God will receive praise in the very first instance. My supporters must remain focused, calm and committed to this cause. We cannot relent because there’s a road ahead and that road cannot be trod by people who want to go to the National Assembly through the backdoor.”