Thread by @InibeheEffiong

PRESS STATEMENT

MY POSITION ON KUFRE CARTER, MONETARY INDUCEMENT OF END SARS PROTEST BY GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL

My attention had since been drawn to reports on social media about the monetary inducement of Mr. Kufre Carter and few other #EndSARS protesters by @MrUdomEmmanuel.

I have also seen and read the public admission made by Kufre, to the effect that he collected the sum of N500, 000 out of the N4, 000,000 given by the governor.

I completely dissociate myself from this unfortunate development, and I wholeheartedly deprecate same.

We cannot be clamouring for a better Akwa Ibom cum Nigeria, while dining with those who have destroyed this country. We are either with the oppressors or with the oppressed.

Kufre Carter is an adult and should be held accountable for his actions and inactions.

It is good that he came out to admit his wrongful action. Those who are chastising him are justified.

I am particularly sad about the fact that the same Governor Emmanuel who has failed to create jobs or the enabling environment for the private sector to create jobs, would dole out 4 million Naira to compromise young people who were pursuing a genuine agitation for police reform.

It is particularly shameful that while some governors are busy seeking ways to address the demands of the #EndSARS protesters in their States, Mr. Udom Emmanuel was looking for a way to bribe Akwa Ibom youths.

It is irresponsible for public funds to be deployed for such sinister, immoral and utterly disgraceful purpose.

It should be noted that the Akwa Ibom State Governor is yet to set aside money as Victims' Support Fund; which is one of the key demands of the #EndSARS protesters.

Although Governor Emmanuel has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate abuses by SARS, the public should note that this particular governor has a terrible history of treating the outcome of such inquiries with indignation.

Governor Udom Emmanuel refused to implement the recommendations of the Justice Essang Umoekoyo-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the collapse of the Reigners' Church which occured in 2016 killing dozens of citizens.

The Reigners' Church Founder, Mr. Akan Weeks, who was indicted by the Panel, is a friend of the governor. He has been shielded and protected by his friend from prosecution for his ignominious role in the collapse of the structure.

There is no evidence on record that the families of those who lost their loved ones have been compensated by the government as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry.

This shows the governor's disregard for human lives.

We should therefore not be carried away by the fact that he has set-up a panel to probe abuses by SARS.

Without equivocation, I condemn the monetary inducement.

Kufre's action came to me as a rude shock given his ongoing travails in the hands of these same demonic forces. I have spent enormous resources to defend him. Our firm has fought for him ferociously without compromise, and without collecting a Kobo from him till date.

The least that we expected, was for him to keep a decent distance from the corrupt political elements who wanted him dead while he was in the dungeon of the State Security Service (SSS). I hope that he has learnt appropriate lessons.

As a lawyer, I have never had cause to make a public statement about a person that I have represented in the course of my professional career.

It is with a heavy heart and for the sake of my integrity and posterity, that I have issued this statement.

Silence on my part may be construed and interpreted as endorsement of that perfidious conduct.

Since this scandal became public, I have waited to no avail, for over a week, to hear from Kufre. I called him over the phone before issuing this statement without a response.

He may probably think that he does not owe me an explanation, let alone apology. All the same, my position on issues like this should not be in doubt. It is not personal, it is a matter of principle.

I'm not making this statement in my professional capacity as counsel to Kufre Carter, I'm speaking out as a citizen who has consistently held governments at federal, state and local level accountable.

I cannot be seen or perceived to have abandoned the values that I have fought for all my life at this point.

Inibehe Effiong
24th October, 2020.