Akwa Ibom attorney-general tackles police commissioner over release of suspect

Uwemedimo Nwoko, attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Akwa Ibom state, has accused Imohimi Edgal, the state commissioner of police, of aiding the escape of criminal suspect.

Nwoko at a press conference in his office in Uyo said the police boss will face immediate prosecution for allegedly flouting an order of court which directed the police to commit one Leo Ekpenyong to prison custody (correctional service center) pending the next adjourned date of March 23.

“It is only the court that has the power to reverse itself or a higher court and nobody from an air conditioned comfort of his office can sit to undermine the decision of the court,” he said.

“He is interfering with a court order and I have no business to understand it. If there was anything wrong with the court order, he should have gone back to the court.”

While adjourning the matter for hearing to March 23, 2020, Winifred Umohandi, the magistrate, ordered that the accused be made to undergo medical examination at a government hospital before being remanded in a Nigerian Correctional Service custody till the adjourned date.

The criminal charge in suit number MU/182C/2020 accuses, Leo Enobong Ekpenyong ‘m’ 47years of a three count charge of “publishing an offensive publication provoking breach of public peace punishable under section 97(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

“Giving false information and false statement to Government of Akwa Ibom state punishable under section 127 (1)(b) of the Criminal Code and causing extreme fear by making yourself an object of dread punishable under section 6(1)(a)(c) of the Akwa Ibom Internal Security Law,2009.”

The remand warrant by the Magistrate directed that, “you the said police officer is hereby commanded to convey the defendant to the said prison and deliver him to the superintendent thereof together with this warrant.

“And the superintendent will receive and keep him in his custody till 23rd day of March, and on that day convey him to the Magistrate Court of the Uyo Magisterial district sitting at the Chief Magistrate Court 1 by 9am to be dealt with according to law.”

He said his office will report to all relevant offices from the presidency, the police social office, the national assembly and all authorities in Nigeria.