by Inibehe Effiong
The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal witnessed another shocking revelation on Thursday September 3, 2015 during the cross examination of the 9th witness for the first Respondent, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
It was revealed by lawyers to Obong Umana Umana that a single individual by name Barr. Jerry Akpan (a former Commissioner in the state) singlehandedly signed all the result sheets for the entire 14 Wards of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The witness one Hon. Friday Okobo, a native of Ukam, Ikpa Ibom Clan in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, who said that he was the PDP agent for Ikpa Ibom Ward 2 was shown the result sheets of the entire 14 Wards of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area which revealed that contrary to his deposition on oath, the entire Local Government Area result sheets was signed by one Barr. Jerry Akpan.
This revelation stunned the already tensed atmosphere at the Tribunal. The witness upon the being shown the documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which had been admitted in evidence suddenly lost his composure and acted as if he was not conversant with what was going on at the Tribunal. When asked if Barr. Jerry Akpan was the agent for the entire 14 Wards he became silent.
Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the PDP and INEC had opened their defence at the Tribunal on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Just like the first day of their defence, the Respondents have continued to face serious embarrassment because of the massive fraud being uncovered at the Tribunal.