A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State
capital, Thursday granted bail to the member representing Oron Federal
Constituency in the National Assembly Mr. Nse Ekpenyong.
Ekpenyong who was arraigned by the EFCC on a nine count
charge bothering on forgery and alteration of documents pleaded not guilty
before the presiding Judge Ijeoma Ojukwu.
The defense Lawyer Samuel Isangedoho had cited numerous
constitutional provisions to perfect Ekpenyong’s bail and promised that the
lawmaker will make himself available whenever he is needed in court.
EFCC lawyer Ahmed Arogba had earlier opposed the bail
application filed by the Defense counsel.
But Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu dismissed the opposition saying
that reasons cited by the EFCC’s lawyer were not cogent enough to deny Nse
Ekpenyong bail.
She thereafter granted the accused person bail and adjourned
the matter to Wednesday, 12th April, 2017.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the bail granted on Nse
Ekpenyong, EFCC’s lawyer
Ahmedu Arogba confirmed the position of Justice Ojukwu that
it was Nse Ekpenyong’s constitutional right to get bail and that he was just doing
his job by opposing it.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker’s media Directorate has described as
funny and irresponsibility the news going round some quarters that Nse
Ekpenyong was remanded in EFCC custody.
In a statement Nse Ekpenyong’s media handlers say, it is the
handiwork of politicians who sit in Abuja to cause mischief using a section of
the bias media.
The statement called on the people of Oron Federal
Constituency to ignore the tar brush of Ekpenyong’s remand in custody as it
reflects the wishes of failed and jobless politicians.
The statement concludes that Nse Ekpenyong is receiving
guests and friends in his Uyo residence.
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