- Petitions NBA To De-Robe Governor Akpabi0
Governor Godwill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State is at the wrong news again, this is as Ambassador Assam E. Assam (SAN) has written a petition to the President of Nigeria Bar Association to de-robe Governor Akpabio.
In a petition dated 19th August, 2014, titled: Governor Godswill Akpabio, An Alleged Experienced Killer: Why He Must Be Derobed and addressed to the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, the petition which was signed by Ambassador Assam’s Lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong (Esq.) said; “Our attention has been drawn to a report syndicated across both the print and electronic media, credited to the vocal and revered Learned Silk, Ambassador Assam E. Assam (SAN) to the effect that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Godswill Akpabio is an alleged experienced Killer. Simply put, a serial killer and murderer.”
According to Leo, he said; “Chief Assam, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia and Belarus, is the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State whose pedigree is known and acclaimed as a man of courage with the capacity to speak truth to power not minding whose “Ox is gored”.
Writing further he said; “From the foregoing, we can say with confidence that sequel to the myriad of unresolved politically-motivated killings in Akwa Ibom State, Ambassador Assam’s allegation has merit and should not be swept under the carpet or treated with kid gloves. Police reports have variously indicated the astronomical rise in crime rate since the inception of Governor Akpabio’s administration in 2007 till date and his role as Chief Security Officer of the State.”
Leo said in petition that; “Recent newspaper reports have also confirmed Gov. Akpabio’s threat to kill perceived political opponents to the office of Governor in order to foist his anointed Candidate on the people. Another frontline Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Umana Okon Umana has equally petitioned the National Human Rights Commission on several assassination attempts on the life of his teaming supporters. It would be recalled that Mr. Umana Umana is equally the immediate past Secretary to the State Government.”
To him he said that these two personages had at one time or the other worked with Governor Akpabio and at sensitive positions as Cabinet members, as he added; “Chief Assam (SAN) has taken out time in the interview, a copy of which has been attached overleaf to state in clear terms, the character of Governor Akpabio. Since its publication on August, 15th, 2014 there has been no reaction from Akpabio to this effect apparently because he does not have any. It is a familiar aphorism in Legal parlance that a Lawyer must be a “fit and proper” person, who will not bring disgrace, disrepute and dishonor to the legal profession. Governor Akpabio’s alleged misconduct is not only unprofessional and ungodly but a total embarrassment to our revered professional body and colleagues.”
The petitioner also said; “To this end, we call on your leadership to rid our profession of “bad eggs” with questionable characters, by excommunicating Governor Akpabio as he can no longer be seen and perceived as a “fit and proper” person as envisaged by the Body of Benchers. As Stakeholders, we are committed to the high Standards of this noble and honorable profession of seeking, defending and upholding the truth at all times. We cannot conclude this petition without recalling the illuminating words of the first indigenous lawyer in Africa Chief Sapara Williams who observed, “that a Legal Practitioner lives for the direction of his people as well as advancing the cause of his Country”.
According to the writer he said; “The above exhortation indeed should be the guiding principle of Legal Practitioners as the entire society looks up to us as role models. We therefore strongly believe that his excommunication will be good riddance to bad rubbish for the Legal Profession, as a step towards building a just and Egalitarian Society.”
The Petition was also copied to the Chief Justice Of the Federation, Attorney General Of the Federation and the Chief Judge, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary.
The Petition was also copied to the Chief Justice Of the Federation, Attorney General Of the Federation and the Chief Judge, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary.
