Group Indicts Governor Akpabio In Ime Umanah's Death

Late Ime Umanah

The death of Ime Umanah, a business mogul and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress has spawned a fresh controversy in Akwa Ibom State.

According to Premium Times, an Abuja based group known as the Akwa-Ibom Rescue Form has pointed accusing fingers to outgoing governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio for Umanah’s demise.

It would be recalled that Umanah died in an auto crash on Monday, while returning to Lagos after attending a court session in Uyo, the state capital.

Addressing newsmen, the group’s coordinator, Leo Ekpenyong, said Mr. Umanah would not have died, if not for the prolonged politically-motivated court case between him (Umanah) and Akpabio.

Mr. Ekpenyong blamed Akpabio for what he described as the ‘immediate and remote’ cause of the APC chieftains’ death.

“On behalf of Akwa Ibom Rescue Forum, we wish to express our displeasure, anger as well as chagrin with the remote and immediate cause of the death of this politician.

“I must say here that the spate of political persecution in the state as far back 2007 till date is worrisome.

“It should be recalled that sometimes in 2010; Mr. Umanah was reported to security operatives for alleged involvement in the planned kidnapping of Godswill Akpabio.

“We were surprised to learn of the effrontery of a private individual to kidnap a sitting governor in Nigeria.

“However, Mr. Umanah was arrested and detained. On one of our visits to him while in detention, he told of us of the nasty and excruciating experience he went through in the hands of security operatives.

“He told us of how his cell was fumigated with gaseous substance that affected his respiratory system. He was eventually prosecuted,”  the group said.

However, Mr. Umanah, was granted bail on the condition that he must appear personally anytime the case is heard.

“Mr. Umanah met his untimely death while returning to Lagos after attending the court session to answer trumped up charges Mr. Akpabio brought against him. Won’t it therefore, be appropriate to say Godswill Akpabio is responsible for his death?”  Mr Ekpeyong asked.

Meanwhile,  Akpabio on his part, said he has satisfied the desires of his people