The candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the April gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John Akpanudoedehe suffered another legal defeat against his opponent, the Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday absolved Akpabio of a case of alleged unlawful detention which he had instituted against the governor.
?In his judgement, Justice Alade Toyinbo ruled that there was no evidence that it was the governor of Akwa Ibom State that instigated the arrest and detention of Senator Akpanudoedehe. Consequently, the court held that no reliefs can be granted against Chief Akpabio who was the 2nd respondent.
A statement by the Special assistant to Governor Akpabio on Media, Mr. Anietie Ekong said the court also found that there was no evidence to show that his arrest and detention was politically motivated, particularly in the light of the failure of the police to produce the case diary in respect of the investigation relating to alleged offences committed by the applicant.
Senator Akpanudoedehe had in the suit sued the inspector – general of police and joined Chief Akpabio. He claimed that he was unlawfully detained by the police. He had claimed N100million from the respondents jointly and severally.
The Court however admonished the Inspector-General of police for his refusal to furnish the Court with a certified true copy of the case diary relating to the Applicant’s investigation, and its consistent efforts to re-arrest the Applicant despite a clear and extant Court Order restraining him from doing so.
The Court also found that it was unnecessary to award damages in favour of the Applicant as it is not in every case of detention, that damages should be awarded in favour of the Applicant but advised him to “continue to live his life as if nothing ever happened to him”.
In his reaction to the judgment, the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Legal Matters, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis commended the court for the well considered judgment reasserting that Governor Akpabio had been once again vindicated.
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