We the undersigned, representing major strands of our socio-cultural space, saddened and dismayed by the apparent witch-hunt unleashed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on our sons especially Chief Paul Usoro, do make the following declarations:
1. That Chief Paul Usoro (SAN) is one of our illustrious sons who has made his marks in the legal profession, a fact that was acknowledged when his colleagues in August this year massively elected him the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)- the first ever Akwa Ibom State son to be so elected.
2. That Chief Paul Usoro (SAN) from information available to us, has been on retainership with the Akwa Ibom State Government since 2003, and in the course of time, had rendered professional services to the State Government and was rightfully and lawfully paid the fees for services rendered, which is an acceptable norm of engagement all over the world. Available records also indicate that Chief Paul Usoro (SAN) is still being owed legal fees in excess of N5billion for services that covers the Akpabio era as Governor. When Chief Usoro performed the same service to Senator Godswill Akpabio, he was not charged for money laundering, which explains why we find it incredulous that the EFCC will today criminalize lawful services rendered by a professional entity simply to achieve a pre-conceived politically motivated outcome.
3. We have observed that prominent people from our State have for some time now, been hounded, their character assailed and besmirched. We deplore these tactics and warn that as major Stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom Project, we will utilize every legal means to ensure that the best and brightest among us are not attacked, blackmailed, mentally and psychologically traumatized based purely on expedient political considerations.
4. We wish to call on the EFCC to be mindful of these abhorrent tactics. Our State is peaceful, our sons and daughters are people of character and integrity- virtues that are nationally and internationally celebrated. The hounding of Chief Paul Usoro(SAN) must stop, NOW!
Signed:
Distinguished Senator Anietie Okon
Distinguished Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien
Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob
Distinguished Senator Helen Esuene
Distinguished Senator Etang Umoyo
Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien
Akparawa Obong Patrick Udofia,
International President, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio
Adede Isidore Archibong, JP,
International President, Nto Afe Annang
ObongIwaad (Pastor) Godwin Williams,
President-General, Afigh Iwaad Ekid
Ulap Joseph Bassey Okon,
International President, Essu Nlap Oro
Culled from The Nation newspaper, December 17, 2018, page 43
No comments:
Post a Comment