Action Congress of Nigeria and supporters of its governorship candidate, John Akpanudoedehe are celebrating his release following the grant of N5m bail by the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, Idongesit Ntemisua to the applicant.
The bail condition also stipulates a one man surety in form of a landed property within Uyo.
Mrs Ntemisua, who demanded that the lead counsel to the applicant, Yemi Oshibanjo should guarantee that the celebrations that would follow the eventual release of Udoedehe would not constitute a breach of peace or turn into an avenue for propagating violence, advised that the celebrations be carried out in a responsible manner.
She urged politicians to be lawful in the conduct of their political activities and not instigate rivalries that would breed discord among the people.
She also faulted publications alleging that judges of the High Court declined jurisdiction to entertain the case against Udoedehe and that the governor was given powers to detain a person found guilty of any criminal offence for 30 days.
The judge noted that the said allegations were not true and cautioned against what she termed ‘irresponsible reporting', advising the press to endeavour to verify their facts before publishing.
Udoedehe had been in prison custody since Wednesday on the orders of the magistrate court despite the ruling of a Federal High court in Abuja ordering his unconditional release.
Meanwhile, the Federal High court has said it has jurisdiction to try the case of the 41 ACN supporters accused for arson and murder in the March 22,2O11 mayhem in Uyo.
The judge, E.S.Chukwu however said the jurisdiction to try the alleged accused persons on murder would be determined on Monday, April 11. |