Ime Atakpa’s Murder: Court dismisses case for want of diligent prosecution
An Uyo High Court has dismissed the case of the murder of the late Secretary to Ukanafun Local Government, Mr. Ime Willie Atakpa and Akaninyene Uko. The accused persons, Former Transition Chairman of the Local Government, Barr. Abasiono Udomfu, Saturday Etim and Akaninyene Iwuo were accordingly discharged and acquitted by the Court.
The Presiding Judge of High Court 4, Uyo, Justice Archibong Archibong who handled the case No. HUK/23C/2017 in his judgement said that the case of the State Vs. Saturday Etim, Barr. Abasiono Udomfu and Akaninyene Iwuo is hereby dismissed for want of diligent prosecution. The Judge maintained that the charge of conspiracy and murder did not hold water and was therefore frivolous to have brought it before the court.
Counsel to the accused persons, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim while addressing the court requested to know whether the prosecution was able to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused committed the said crimes.
In the course of the case, the Complainant, late Barr. Aniefiok Willie Atakpa had applied to the Ministry of Justice for a fiat to give the locus standi – the legal right to choose his lawyer. It was granted by the Ministry. This is when Barr. Alfred Edem, a private legal practitioner came into the matter but returned the case file to the Ministry on the ground that there was nothing to incriminate the accused persons.
The late Secretary to Ukanafun Local Government, Mr. Ime Atakpa was assassinated by gunmen on 16th April, 2017 at his animal farm in Ikot Udo Obobo when the Chieftaincy tussle in Okoyo village degenerated into bloodbath in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo LGAs. Barr. Udomfu who was the Council Chairman and two others were arrested as suspects. Udomfu was detained at the Akwa Ibom State Police Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia for 24 days without being arraigned. When eventually he was put on trial, he was granted bail on 20th February, 2018 on the ground of ill health. Eventually, the accused persons were discharged and acquitted by the court.
