YPP Campaign Council Reacts As Court Sentences Its Candidate To 42 Years Imprisonment

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) governorship campaign council in Akwa Ibom State has described the court order which sent Senator Bassey Akpan to 42 years in prison for corruption as a travesty of justice.

The council in a statement by the Chairman, of the YPP Governorship Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio said some powers that be in the state are behind the travails of Akpan but the innocence of Akpan is glaring.

Naija News recalls Akpan who is the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East and also the YPP gubernatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom State, was on Thursday sentenced to 42 years in prison for corruption by a federal high court in the state based on a suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was remanded at the Ikot Ekpene correctional centre without an option of fine.

But Akpabio in his reaction, urged loyalists and supporters of the YPP gubernatorial candidate to remain calm as the situation is under control.

He expressed optimism that a court of superior jurisdiction would overturn the high court judgement.

His statement reads: “On Thursday, December 1st, 2022, Akwa Ibom State citizens nay all Nigerians witnessed judicial absurdity in its rarest form. They saw how justice was turned on its head, just to please the powers that be in the State.

“That Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State could so decide to enter judgement against Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, in a suit where his innocence was glaringly obvious from day one that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) instituted it; is absolutely a travesty of justice.

“We, therefore, reject and condemn it in its entirety. The dust it has stirred against the judiciary would only be redeemable by a reversal.”

Akpabio further assured that all necessary legal steps would be taken to ensure the YPP candidate’s innocence is proven and the high court judgement overturned.

He emphasized their resolve to “follow up the outcome with philosophical calmness. Accordingly, we will take necessary steps to redress the kangaroo judgement through appeal and we are sure that the grievous wrong will be corrected”.

There Have Been Others Like Him

While emphasizing that the pathway to greatness is not always smooth the YPP campaign council chairman went down a historical lane to recall some people that have gone from prison to the palace.

He described the court order as a temporary setback.

“There were the specific instances of Joseph in the Bible, who came from prison to become the Prime Minister of Egypt; Nelson Mandela; Kwame Nkrumah; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, among others, came from prison to become the President of their respective Nations; even Theodore Orji emerged from prison to win his gubernatorial election as governor of Abia State. The tyrant may have his temporary victory, but the people and God will always prevail in the end,” It stated.

The statement added that “the mission to redeem Akwa Ibom State remains unstoppable. In this regard, we make bold to declare publicly that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, CON, remains the arrowhead of this movement, and we collectively and individually stand by him and remain irrevocably committed to this genuine cause.

“Akwa Ibom State MUST be free and freed from underdevelopment, want and lack being inflicted on the people”.

“We call on all members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, supporters, friends, well-wishers and well-meaning citizens to remain calm as we know for sure that there is light at the end of the tunnel! From the ashes of this dark night will emerge a bright tomorrow.”