Court convicts Akwa Ibom PDP governorship candidate over cheating, orders arrest

A chief magistrate court in Wuse zone 6, federal capital territory (FCT), has ordered the arrest of Umo Eno, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom state.

Eno, who is the preferred candidate of Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, won the party’s primary held in May 2022.

He secured 993 votes, while a total of 1,018 delegates participated in the election.

He defeated his closest challengers — Onofiok Luke, a member of the house of representatives, who got two votes; and Bassey Albert, a member of the senate, who polled one vote.

In a document seen by TheCable, the warrant of arrest was issued by Emmanuel Iyanna, chief magistrate, on December 23, 2022.

According to the document, the governorship candidate is facing charges of “cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property”.

The complainant in the suit marked CR/94/2022 is one Edet Godwin Etim.

“You are hereby directed to arrest the said pastor Umo Bassey Eno and produce him before me,” the chief magistrate said.

A source confirmed to TheCable that the criminal proceedings have been concluded and Eno was convicted.

“The warrant of arrest is based on criminal proceedings conviction conducted by the chief magistrate court, Wuse, Abuja, and directed that the defendant be arrested and brought to court for sentencing having continuously refused to surrender himself to court,” the source said.