The PDP candidate for the Cross River House of Representatives, Mr. Peter Akpanke, claims that the Police Command's designation of him as a wanted person was made for political reasons.
Although it was intended to divert his attention before the 2023 general elections, Akpanke said in a statement read to newsmen in Calabar on Monday that he was unconcerned by the "gimmick."
He was declared a wanted person in connection with the alleged murder of one Emmanuel Martin, a police inspector, according to a statement from the Police Command signed by its spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo.
On May 25, 2022, Martin was shot and died at Obudu, Cross River North, during the PDP's primary for the House of Representatives.
As a candidate for the Obudu, Bekwarra & Obanliku Federal seat, Ukweni claimed that the prosecution against his client "is politically motivated and positioned to distract him as he prepares for next month's elections.
“Akpanke is not running away from any trial, but we will bring to the fore the fact that Peter did nothing, the person who committed this offence was arrested and handed over to the police.
“Luckily for us, extra-judicial statements have been taken by the police.
“Regrettably, the person who brought those who killed the Inspector is not standing trial.
“The person who fired the shot that killed the policeman is shielded by the state governor and the Attorney General of the state had to give fiat to a private prosecutor; it shows the interest the government has in this matter.
“We can also reveal that in the course of our investigations, competent security sources handed video recording of the young man, suspected to have fired and killed the Inspector, being interrogated by the police as he gave a vivid description of what transpired on that fateful day.”
He concluded that at no time was he served any invitation by the Police that he failed to honour.
“I have not been served any process. Ask them why they are trying me in Calabar instead of Obudu where the incident happened. Can the police show any proof of any invitation that I didn’t honour?” (NAN)