Another SAN takes over Umana’s case

 * We know why Olanikpekun was replaced, says UGE’s man
* Solomon Umoh did not replace Wole, he only stood in for him, says UOU’s man

An incident occurred at the Abuja tribunal sitting yesterday over the Akwa Ibom Governorship election. This development created some kind of uncertainty in the court leading Governor Udom Emmanuel’s men to summarize that the APC strongman has finally parted ways with his lead counsel Wole Olanikpekun, SAN for another Senior Advocate Solomon Umoh, SAN.

THE INK gathered that Umoh is from Ibiono Ibom LGA in Akwa Ibom State and is poised to getting victory for his principal. Members of the PDP who thronged the court 8, FCT High Court mocked the APC strongman alleging that UOU had debriefed Wole Olanikpekun and his chambers.

It could be recalled that the seasoned Olanikpekun had just put up an appearance during the testimony given by the PDP. On that fateful Wednesday, Olanikpekun was the lead counsels that cross examined PDP witnesses amongst which were the commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ntukudeh.
Olanikpekun showed brilliance and competence in that exercise. But was absent on Thursday and Friday fuelling Speculations that all may not be well in the APC fold and their legal team. 

Udom’s men who spoke to our reporter outside the court premises said Olanikpekun had fallen apart with UOU and hence why the erudite legal luminary cannot proceed with the defense of Obong Umana.

But the APC fans who volunteered information to our reporter in Abuja said Wole Olanikpekun and UOU are still in the best of times and enjoying a very cordial relationship. They informed that the seasoned SAN may not have been able to make it to the court the days he was absent due to some other pressures. They contended to our reporter that Olanikpekun however sent a very reliable legal expert Dayo Akinjala, SAN to continue with proceedings till he returned to continue.

They maintained that so far that the APC and Umana Umana are comfortable with Akinjala, SAN. And that the party has no reason whatsoever to complain. It could be recalled that Akinjala’s posturing at the tribunal was not greeted with so much excitement by some members of the APC in the state who visited the court on the days Akinjala, SAN cross examined the PDP witnesses.
The seeming disagreement of the APC on the choice of Akinjala as a stand in for the busy Olanikpekun was an excitement for the PDP witnesses who made light weight of the questions the learned SAN put across to them. For instance Uwem Ita Etuk, Etido Inyang and others made very good account of themselves during cross examination by the learned Akinjala.

The PDP having realized that Akinjala may not pose a bigger threat to their ambition decided to talk tough saying their victory for Udom will not be sacked by the tribunal.

There was even a more level of excitement early yesterday in Abuja when news filtered into the air that Wole Olanikpekun will not be in court. The PDP’s excitement rose especially with the belief that there is a no love lost situation between Ola and UOU.

Meanwhile, another top legal luminary in the person of Solomon Umoh, SAN stood in for Olanikpekun today at the court. But in a chat with our reporter on phone one of Umana’s legal expert, Barr Leo Ekpenyong who confided in our reporter said, there is no problem between Umana and Olanikpekun. He explained that the legal luminary who stood for the APC and UOU yesterday in the person of Solomon Umoh, SAN is a member of Umana’s legal team. Ekpenyong explained that the presence of Umoh does not signify that there is a clash between his principal and the former lead counsel, Wole Olanikpekun.