Date Published: 06/10/09

Sir,

Kidnap of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Speaker's father

I was shocked in disbelief when someone close to the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly hinted that the purported kidnap of the father to the Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly is an arranged thing.

The source told me that I should watch and see that the old man would be released unharmed.  And when I asked to be enlightened further, he told me to just watch and that the outcome would make me believe him. On further prodding my informant said that it was a ploy to get out some money from the State’s coffer.

It should be recalled that when Hon Nse Ntuen, the Chairman of the Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, was kidnapped and later released, he was quoted in the media that he owes his gratitude to Governor Akpabio who facilitated his release.  He confessed that the kidnappers demanded (originally) the sum of N500million but failed to mention how much the governor eventually settled them. There has been public outcry to know how much the governor actually spent in the venture but mute has remained his answer.

With this suspected development, the public starts to understand that after all some of the kidnappings we hear about are pre-arranged and also the capital punishment handed down by some State governments on kidnappers, a hoax. It is not easy to convict anyone you did not catch red-handed on the crime.

The release of the father of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly would be a litmus case. It could turn out to be a shame.

Chief Okon Emerson

95 Awolowo Way

IKEJA, Lagos State.