Akwa Ibom gov asks lawmakers to probe assault on man who ‘insulted’ LG chairman

July 25, 2019 5:08 pm

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has asked the state assembly to probe the assault on a man who was attacked for allegedly insulting a local government chairman in the state.

A video, which captured two men flogging a man whom they accused of insulting Imoh Williams, chairman of Abak local government area in the state, went viral on Wednesday.

While the date and location of the incident is not yet known, the man assaulted has been identified as Godwin Abraham, an artisan.

In the video, Abraham was seen lying on the floor while the two men pounced on him.

“Say you won’t do it again,” one of the men said to Abraham, who responded “I won’t do it again.”

In a statement via his Twitter account on Wednesday, the governor condemned the assault, saying it is against the values of the people of the state.

Emmanuel said the state assembly has commenced full investigation into the incident.

“I roundly condemn the assault that took place at Abak LGA, currently circulating on the social media. Such actions are unacceptable in a civilized society and does not represent our core values. I have advised the A/Ibom State House of Assembly to commence full investigations,” he tweeted.

I roundly condemn the assault that took place at Abak LGA, currently circulating on the social media. Such actions are unacceptable in a civilized society and does not represent our core values. I have advised the A/Ibom State House of Assembly to commence full investigations pic.twitter.com/M6xHTjUbem

— Udom Emmanuel (@MrUdomEmmanuel) July 24, 2019

Meanwhile, Williams has disclaimed the allegation, saying he did not sponsor the said attack.

In a statement via his Facebook account, the local government chairman said he has never subscribed to violence and he would “never condone such even in the future.”

“In the light of the troubling social, economic and political implication of such anti-social vice on my person and office, I hereby state that at no time did the perpetrators of the act did so with my permission,” the statement read.

“My history and antecedents are in the public domain as proof that I have never subscribed to violence and could not have sponsored the said attack on the man in question.

“I was only informed of the incidence a fortnight ago when the perpetrators were rounded off by the police at the State Police Headquarters, and I was thereafter briefed on the matter.

“Conscious that mere dissociating myself from the action of the perpetrators is not enough, I had long relieved the mastermind of the act and of his appointment as my Aide, trusting that the security agencies will be getting to the root of the matter.

“I roundly condemn all act of violence and intimidation on citizens and will never condone such even in the future.”