POLICE authorities yesterday arraigned the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Akwa-Ibom State, Senator James Akpanudoedeh, over the recent Uyo violence.

Akpanudoedeh, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was arraigned before Justice Adamu Bello a Federal High Court sitting in Abuka on a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy to commit treason.

He was accused of masterminding the violence where four people died and vehicles worth N2 billion were destroyed.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His lawyer, Andem Edem urged the Court to take judicial notice of the antecedents of the charge.

“The accused person is governorship aspirant of ACN. A CN is coasting home to victory to unseat the incumbent governor of the state. It is because he is currently opposing the ruling party in Akwa Ibom State that is why they bare contriving this charge against him”, Edem added.

He recalled that Akpanudoedehe is a two-time senator, a former FCT Minister and Local Government Chairman who had no criminal record against him.
He urged the Court to grant him bail on self recognizance.

But, the Prosecution counsel, Godwin Ijioma opposed bail. He urged the court to discountenance the submission of the defence counsel because the alleged offence attracts death penalty.

Before adjourning till March 29 for hearing, Justice Bello directed the defence counsel to file a formal bail application. He ordered that Akpanudoedeh be remanded in Police custody.

The Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim had earlier yesterday pledged that Udoedehe would be arraigned for murder.

Ringim, who spoke at a meeting with Senior Police Officers from the rank of Commissioners and above in Abuja on preparations towards next month’s general elections, added that about 40 other persons were also arrested over the political crises that led to the burning of property worth N2 billion in Akwa Ibom.