Tribunal: Akwa Ibom Government refutes $1.5m bribery allegation against Governor Udom Emmanuel
The Akwa Ibom state government has debunked allegation that Governor Udom Emmanuel paid $1.5million to Justice A. M. Yakubu, the presiding judge for the Akwa Ibom governorship election petitions tribunal.
In a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday, August 27, the state's attorney general and commissioner for justice, Barr. Uwemedimoh Nwoko, stated that the allegation raised by one Leo Ekpenyong against the governor and the tribunal judge, was false and unsubstantial.
Nwoko said Governor Udom Emmanuel has not had any contact directly or through proxy, with the tribunal judges since they were appointed.
Part of the statement reads: “We state most categorically and without any equivocation that there is absolutely no scintilla of truth in Leo Ekpenyong’s wild and unsubstantiable allegations.
“His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel does not know and has never met Honourable Justice Justice A. M. Yakubu, or any other judge on the panel. His Excellency, has made no personal contact or through a proxy with any of the judges.
“It is most uncharitable and unconscionable for Leo Ekpenyong and his pay masters to attempt to rubbish and bring to disrepute the sterling reputation and character of Governor Emmanuel.”
