Mr. Ebebe Ukpong, whom Justice Inyang Okoro in his letter accused of leading the former governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Umana, to his house to discuss the issue of a bribe, has denied the allegation.
A statement by Ukpong on Thursday indicated that he (Ukpong) did not lead anybody to Justice Okoro nor attend any meeting in Okoro’s house where the said issue was discussed.
“I have never led anyone to Justice Okoro nor attended any meeting in his house where the issue of bribery, corruption of any kind or perversion of justice was discussed.
“Of course, I could never have and will never contemplate such as it is against my personal principles informed by my relationship with the Almighty God. I always stand for the truth, integrity and fairness,” the statement added.
Okoro, one of the judges arrested by the Department of State Services over an allegation of corruption, in a letter to the Chief Justice, Mahmud Mohammed, had said, “Umana also made the same request of assistance to win his appeal at the Supreme Court. Umana talked about ‘seeing’ the justices who would hear the appeal.
“Pastor (Dr.) Ebebe Ukpong, who led Mr. Umana Umana to my house, intercepted and said that the issue of ‘seeing’ the justices was not part of their visit and that, as a pastor, he would not be part of such a discussion. Mr. Umana apologised. I advised them to go and pray about the matter and get a good lawyer. That was how they left my house.”
Ukpong, who described Justice Okoro as a brother, whom he had known for three decades, said he had lived and worked in politics and partisanship.
He said, “I have read in the social media and several newspapers since the night of Tuesday, October 18, 2016, a letter purportedly written by Honourable Justice John I Okoro, JSC, and addressed to the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council.
“In the said letter, Justice Okoro alleged that I led Mr. Umana Umana to visit with him in his residence without giving any details of such visit. Many reactions have followed. I’m constrained to make this statement for record purpose: I have known, in adult context, Hon. Justice Okoro for more than three decades now. He is my brother.
“I have never led anyone to Justice Okoro nor attended any meeting in his house where the issue of bribery, corruption of any kind or perversion of justice was discussed. Of course, I could never have and will never contemplate such as it is against my personal principles informed by my relationship with the Almighty God. I always stand for the truth, integrity and fairness.”
Justice John Inyang
BY ETIM EKPIMAH, UYO
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