The NewsWatch Big Rip-Off and The Fuss About Sam Itauma

Written By Marshall Jones

I might have missed this as well. The NewWatch magazine edition of December 5, 2011 is smack of shame to new breed journalism in Nigeria and indeed a dent on their image. It calls for probe of those who are on the editorial board of the magazine as their integrity has been called to question. I think an attempt to blackmail Mr Sam Itauma or CRARN for the rescue mission work is merely sacrificing the heroes for the villains. Is this the only way you can seek revenge for the Liberty Gospel Foundation Church after failing in the court battles? A gracious loser in all court cases against CRARN for that matter! This is indicating that our judicial system, in spite of the mounting challenges, can still be relied upon for the dispensation of justice. I know I might be criticised at this point. But this is the fact.

Ini Ubong of LAGOS, Andy Effiong in faraway BELGIUM, and others who try to make people believe the deliberate calumny stunt of NewWatch magazine need to come out with their fact and not breeding insinuations. I think if they cannot surf the web to get the correct truth or find out about this cooked and distortion story of Victor Ukutt, the lazy lawyer of Helen Ukpabio or that of master liar of Godswill Akpabio called Aniekan Umanah they better humble themselves and ask those who are in the state to help with the truth. Or are they deliberately trying to sell themselves for the BIG buyers of lies as a few of them are doing? This might be why those requesting the actual whereabouts of Itauma might be having a dubious motif, given that they already know geometric rise in the number of the present government’s hit-men. Are they quick to forget that Itauma who does not believe in witchcraft and campaigns against dubbing children witches was arraigned in Oron High Court by Gov. Akpabio himself for accusing children as witches? This is how a lot of people are made to face trump-up charges by this government and made to rot in the jail if not die.

Truly, you guys have not still got off the wood blanketing your eyes for good. I already have reports on this but sometime don't need to border myself much because I always thought people know the truth about this. Or may be putting out at the appropriate time could be ok.

Have you ever sat down to wonder why Victor Ukutt is trying to push this stuff again into the public domain when he was given an ample opportunity to make his case in the Godswill Akpabio’s Child Witch Commission of Inquiry but failed woefully because he did not have fact to prove his lies? Do you know that he had failed in all the cases he and his paid mistress dragged CRARN to court for daring to orientate people not to believe in witchcraft and torture children in the name of witches? Do you know that 'End of the Wicked' a home-made video of Evangelist/Apostle/Dr/Ms Helen Ukpabio is one of the biggest NIGTHMARE that brought about the child witches problem in Nigeria? I am sick of this frame-up you are bringing up again. It will be injurious to the psyche if not treacherous to those who know the truth but fail to tell. This is a way of trying to distort history. Those who work hard to save lives in any cruel part of the world are always the victims. You can go ahead and celebrate your villains; it is not strange. It seems it is part of our own society and culture to celebrate the corrupt and the villains. But those whose consciences are sacred to them will stand up for the truth and be counted for good.

This is the same magazine that did what was seen as a professional and balanced reportage in its January 4, 2009 edition, tagged: The Ordeal of Kid Witches. It opens its story line with “In Akwa Ibom State hundreds of children labeled as witches have died or have been badly tortured and brutalised by their own parents and relations…” Was NewsWatch ripping people off then? Which of the stories should one believe now? Other news outfit have done their researches and reports, which one do we believe? Or between NewsWatch and UNICEF which should I believe? Between NewsWatch and the UK Channel 4 TV which should I believe? NewsWatch and BBC which one should I believe? NewsWatch and US HBO which should I believe? NewsWatch and Dutch TV which should I believe? NewsWatch and our own Tell Magazine which should I believe? NewsWatch and Sahara Reporters, which one should I believe? The question is endless.

The NewsWatch magazine scraps christened ''A Big Rip-Off...'' is a shame to the magazine's editors like Dan Agbese and and Ray Ekpu for allowing the once dignified Nigerian tabloid to become a rotten egg eaten by the 'unkempt'. The story is just a vendetta from those who feel guilty of the crime they have committed against innocent children or those who failed to protect them from the hands of religious war lords who called themselves prophets. In no distant time we will bring reports of this kind including, the UNICEF research work which indicts Helen Ukpabio of crime against humanity which until now the Akwa Ibom State government has turned a blind eye because some of the government officials are sheepishly worshipping her.

Bishop Sunday William Ulup-Aya had made his confession of killing 110 people including children. Before the open confession, he was already recorded with undercover camera by Mr. Itauma who was trying his best to expose the criminal act and brutality carried out by these so called men of God who tag children and aged people witches and wizards and consign them to all sort of danger including their early graves. The new part of the story you are hearing now is Aniekan Umanah's version; assisted by Victor Ukutt. But who doesn't know Umanah, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information for his captivating eloquence in lies production and fabrication!! If you go to Enwang, Ibaka, Unyege, Afi-Uda, Uko Ntighe, Urukim (Ulup-Aya's maternal area, along Mbo River) in Mbo Local government Area of Oron Axis, you will get the real stories about the level of killings that took place in 2001/2002 orchestrated by the self-made Bishop himself. But for the intervention of former Inspector of General Police, Mr Etim Inyang who himself, too, is from Enwang, more than 500 lives would have been wasted by William Ulup-Aya, according to one Mr Edet Esin from Ibaka. The former police boss had made William to be detained for about three years before he was released, without trial. He had also confessed to using his "spiritual gift" of identifying and killing of witches to now delivering them. Sources in Urukum say, though William has changed the practice or otherwise of the modus operandi, but his former boys are still doing so covertly. 'It is not strange to hear that a person has been escorted...this means that he was taken to the forest and killed.' A 58 year old man who trades in fish had said on account of anonymity. He explained that in a village called Asak Ikang, every body is believed to be a witch. Witchcraft suspicion is the dominant factor there. 'No body is willing to collect water from you and drink let alone food..." he said. This is where the government should invest in orientating the people beyond rhetoric. This will help save lives and improve the economy and make the people have some level of trust in consonant with our age-long culture.

If you take a street survey in Akwa Ibom and parts of Cross River and River States, you will realise that today children mostly from Akwa Ibom origin are swimming the streets because they have been dubbed witches or wizards. This is disheartening, in spite of the much trumpeted free education that is said to be in our state. To say that the only organisation (CRARN) that started the campaign and rescue of these children is constantly hounded and under attack is making an understatement. This has given the religious profiteers the leeway to continue their job of stigmatising and torturing children at will. It is not too late for this government to start a vigorous campaign to end this war on vulnerable children and the aged people. Signing a law is one thing, but implementation is another. Government should stop donating vast of its time on media for blackmail and propaganda brigandage simply because it has control of the media, and resources to do so. It should learn to see criticism as a major tool for improvement and make amends; and not clamping down on dissenting views, if democracy is really anything to go by, which as it is now, it is a far cry from the reality

People who campaign for the right of such vulnerable ones in the society should be encouraged to do so. Doing otherwise is giving a tacit approval to the villains and corrupts to take over the society that we belong.

Mr. Jones is an Uyo based journalist and human right activist.

The Nigerian SSS and Godswill Akpabio: Who is Fooling Who?

Written by
Thompson Essien Tel: 503-661-6368



The Mental State of Godswill Akpabio


The People of Akwa Ibom State know that Godswill Akpabio is a paranoid individual who is troubled by the blood of innocent men and women he has contributed, directly or indirectly, to the untimely loss of their lives since 2007. Godswill Akpabio is also a man with an inferiority complex developed since childhood as a result of uncertainty about the identity of his real biological father. These two factors may be the actual reasons why Akpabio is unsettling, restless, cries easily, and frequently exhibits traits that many people often use in describing him as a man with dual personality. These two factors may also be the reason why Akpabio is generally known as a man who enjoys telling lies, even if his two hands are caught, re-handed, deep inside the cookie jar.

Is Godswill Akpabio suffering from Paranoia?


There is something about Godswill Akpabio which I find very interesting, though intriguing; his ability to use his dual personality trait to manipulate the Nigerian system, as in the ability to manipulate the Nigerian SSS agents into believing that his enemies, real or imagined---mostly imagined-- are out to kill him and his family. At least within the last two years, Akpabio has filed several complaints with the SSS complaining about all sorts of people with allegations that these people are out to "get" him.

The most bizarre case is the allegation that Thompson Essien is the head of a group that detonated a bomb at the premises of Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation. Interestingly, in spite of the careless statements issued to the media by Nsima Ekere, (Akpabio’s Deputy), in which he mentioned that Thompson Essien was the head of the group that detonated the bomb, no available evidence was presented to that effect, other than a letter sent to him (Thompson Essien) on the Internet by a group, which claimed responsibility for the bombing----a letter which Thompson Essien purposely posted on the Internet with a note which clearly stated that maybe it would help security agencies in their investigations. And let me add here that if Thompson Essien had anything to do with the bombing of the AKBC, he never would have been as stupid to the point of releasing the letter to the public, knowing very well that he could be linked to the bombing situation.

There is also another bizarre case. At the end of the Congress of Ibibio People's Union held in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 2011, a Communique was issued, in which there was a line about mobilizing villagers to start a militia (vigilante) group to watch over their villages against the waves of kidnappings in the State since the Government of Godswill Akpabio did not seem to care about the safety and security of the masses. But lo and behold, and in his typical mood of sheer paranoia, Godswill Akpabio felt threatened that IPU was going to replace his militia groups (the AKPF, ADUMA, and ADV) with one of its own.

Akpabio panicked to the point of hysteria, as evidenced in his speech at the Akwa Ibom State National Convention in Miami, Florida, the following week, during which he screamed, "Oh! They (IPU) say they are forming a militia group. Is that the type of group you need? I am going to make sure that all those who want to form a militia group in Akwa Ibom State are deported from the United States." Some people in the audience clapped, without even knowing what Akpabio was talking about and without knowing that at that moment, Akpabio was at the peak of a serious mental drain, caused by the minimizing effect of his psychotic medication, which was wearing out of his blood stream at a dangerous rate.

As soon as he returned to Nigeria, Akpabio compiled all sorts of manufacturing reports against Ibibio People's Union (IPU) and sent them to the State Security Services as evidence that IPU is an organization formed to overthrow his government, with Thompson Essien as its leader. However, what Akpabio did not mention to the SSS was his motive behind his complaints against IPU.

The Reasons and the Real Target of Akpabio’s Gripes


Those of us that organized the IPU Congress in Atlanta know very well that Akpabio's gripes with the organization are because Senator Akpan Udoedehe was invited to the event, while Akpabio was ignored. A few days to the IPU Congress in Atlanta, a gentleman telephoned me from Houston, Texas, and wanted to know what would happen if Akpabio, without invitation, showed up at the IPU Congress. I asked him if Akpabio wanted to attend the event. He said yes. "Tell Akpabio," I instructed the caller, "that if he shows up at the IPU Congress, he would do so at his own risk because he would be venturing into a very hostile environment. Tell Akpabio that he was not invited and we don't want him. I also want you to tell Akpabio that if he shows up, without invitation, as the leader of the organization, I will personally affect his arrest for trespassing." The message must have been delivered to Akpabio because he did not show up.

People who read this may be tempted to jump to the conclusion that I sent the above message to Akpabio because I don't like him. It is true that I don't like Akpabio. But my rationale at the time was my concern for his safety. At the time, my quick instincts instructed that with Senator Akpan Udoedehe (a man whom Akpabio has lied against, twice, for his arrest and detention) at the event as the Guest of Honor, there was no way I could envision what might have been the reaction of his (Udoedehe) supporters towards Akpabio. In my mind, I couldn't imagine Senator Akpan Udoedehe and Godswill Akpabio physically together in the same hall. I did not want to be blamed for heading an organization and hosting an event which might have resulted in a situation where someone could have been seriously hurt. I don't know if such fears might have materialized, but I just did not want to take the risk.

My second line of reasoning was based on the fact that majority of those that attended the Congress were people with very strong feelings against the policies, or lack of it, of Godswill Akpabio as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. It was very likely that within the audience there would be men and women, whose relatives have been kidnapped, assassinated, murdered, robbed, and unjustly locked up in prisons. All it would have taken for all hell to break loose at the Congress hall would have been a single unguarded statement by Godswill Akpabio, no matter how well intentioned it might have been.

On the surface, those who read the ordeal of Chris Udoh with the SSS may think that Thompson Essien is the reason why Godswill Akpabio went to the SSS. It is not. Godswill Akpabio’s complaints to the SSS about Thompson Essien are a ploy to get to Senator Akpan Udoedehe. Akpabio was and still is angry that he was not invited to IPU Congress. Akpabio believes strongly that the Senator is the brain behind the refusal of the IPU Executives to invite him (Akpabio) to the event. And, according to information from some members of his inner circle, nothing pained Akpabio so much as knowing that he and his opponent (the Senator) were in the United States at the same time to attend events hosted by the people of Akwa Ibom State.

According to Chris Udoh, the SSS asked him about Thompson Essien, about who finances this and who finances that. They also asked what he knows about the bomb in Akwa Ibom State. Let it be on record that in November (2011), when Senator Akpan Udoedehe was invited for questioning by the SSS in Abuja, he was put through the same line of questioning that Chris Udoh endured last week with the SSS in Port Harcourt.

How Professional is the SSS?

After his interrogation with the SSS in Abuja, Senator Akpan Udoedehe commended the agents for their professionalism. After his encounter with the SSS in Port Harcourt, Chris Udoh wrote; “One important thing I must bring out up-front is that the SSS officials were organized, respectful, and civil in attitude. I believe they are well trained. If the Nigerian police or other security agencies can borrow 10% of their professionalism, we will have a great nation – the guys were so good and receptive.” I have no reason to doubt the way the two gentlemen assessed the SSS. And I have no doubt that the SSS has clearly stated rules, or policies, that spell out expectations and high degree of professionalism among its agents.

However, I am highly convinced that there are some rogue-agents in the agency, whose mandate is to give the SSS a bad name and a bad image. These rogue agents are the ones that collude with evil and corrupt politicians, such as Godswill Akpabio, to harass innocent citizens in the name of State Security.

As an instance, when Chris Udoh appeared at the SSS office in Port Harcourt, a representative from his employer---Shell--- asked to know if Chris Udoh’s invitation was a private matter or connected to his employment. He was told the invitation is a private matter. Now, here is the question; if the reason Chris Udoh was invited was personal, why did the SSS send the letter of invitation to Shell---his employer? Is that professionalism?

After Chris had introduced himself, he asked the Director for his name. But the Director refused. Instead, he told Chris; “I have told you that I am the director of SSS, why do you need my name? There is only one director of SSS in River State, and that is me, (pointing to himself), everybody knows me. Let us proceed with the reason for today.” Here the Director was behaving as if his name is so sacred that one needs a combination to unlock the Covenant for access to the coveted name. What arrogance from a man who is paid by taxpayers to serve the people. If this behaviour of the Director could be described as professional, then I rebuke it in the name of Jesus Christ.

And, as to add insult to injury, the Director objected to interview Chris with his lawyers present. Is that professionalism? If I were Chris Udoh, I would have told the Director that I would not answer any question or cooperate, unless and until my lawyer sits beside me. Such a stand would have educated the arrogant Director to know that there are people in Nigeria who have refused to be intimidated by the wickedness of a few people entrusted with governance.

Akpabio and the SSS: Who is fooling who?


Let me say that the SSS and Godswill Akpabio are playing games with each other. Akpabio knows that he has no evidence, whatsoever, to connect Thompson Essien with any of his maddening accusations and allegations as reported to the SSS. The agents of SSS, on the other hand, know very well that Akpabio is playing gimmicks due to paranoia. But for some reason, the men and women at the SSS are either too timid or afraid to tell Akpabio, "listen, Governor, your report lacks merit. Therefore, we are going to put it where it should go; trash bin."

The reason I say this is because Thompson Essien is not a fugitive, who is in hiding. He is very visible in all aspects; on the Internet he posts where he lives and sometimes he would include his telephone numbers. If the SSS had any evidence to whatever allegations Akpabio has filed against Thompson Essien with the agency, I am of the opinion that, by now, the agency would have contacted him, at least for questioning. If the SSS had any proof of his connection to the bombing at AKBC, they could have contacted him a long time ago. So far, they have not done so. Instead, some agents regale themselves in harassing innocent citizens pretending appear serious about the madness of Godswill Akpabio.

What I don't understand is why the SSS is cooperating with Godswill Akpabio to harass innocent citizens under the pretense that they want to know about Thompson Essien. When Senator Udoedehe appeared at the SSS in Abuja, they asked, "What do you know about Thompson Essien? Who is Thompson Essien?" When Chris Udoh appeared before the SSS in Port Harcourt, they asked, "What do you know about Thompson Essien? Who is Thompson Essien?" Asking Chris to tell them about Thompson Essien is laughable. At least Thompson Essien has had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Senator Udoedehe. As for Chris Udoh, Thompson Essien has never met the guy. Yet this is the same man SSS agents are bombarding with questions about Thompson Essien’s profile. If the SSS wants to know about Thompson Essien, let them contact Thompson Essien, instead of asking people about him. Thompson Essien is not a fugitive, whose profile must be obtained through covet intelligence gatherings. I have provided the information below where Thompson Essien could be contacted, if the SSS feels like doing so.

What is Thompson Essien’s Position on Godswill Akpabio?


Since the SSS is beating around the bush, let me take this opportunity to give them more information they can add to my profile, by clearly stating my position regarding Godswill Akpabio. I am not under any cover, I want Akpabio removed as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State; this is not a secret where the SSS has to consult an oracle to find out. I want Akpabio out because he is responsible for all the kidnappings, assassinations, rape, murders, and all the incarcerations of innocent Akwa Ibom people---all in the name of politics. I want Akpabio out because of the corruptions and theft of the people’s money. I want Akpabio out because he is a thief, who has stolen, not only the people’s resources, but also their mandate. I want Akpabio out so that there could be peace, safety and security in Akwa Ibom State. I want Akpabio out because he is a bad and terrible leader.

Does that mean I want Akpabio dead? Hell, no! There are no doubts that Godswill Akpabio is a devil. So, who in his right mind would want his hands soiled by the blood of a devil? I don’t. Therefore, why would I want to kill Akpabio? As a matter of fact, I pray daily for God to save the life of Akpabio so that when he is finally kicked out office, he could be brought to court to give an account of all the people’s resources he has stolen since 2007.

He must live to tell the people where he got the money to acquire all the lands in Akwa Ibom State. He must live to give an account of where he got the money to build all the mansions he owns. He must live to give an account of all the money he is hiding in foreign banks. If for some unfortunate event Akpabio happens to die (God forbids!) before he can account for his atrocities, it is Akwa Ibom people that will lose-out on everything. That is why Akpabio must live, but he must get out of office.

Conclusion

Finally, let me take this opportunity to repeat myself; Thompson Essien is not the reason Akpabio went to the SSS. Akpabio wants Akpan Udoedehe---dead! Since after the Election, Akpan Udoedehe has reasonably stayed away from Akwa Ibom State, which makes it difficult for Akpabio to commit a crime and blame it on the Senator. So, Akpabio's rationale is that if he could link Akpan Udoedehe to Thompson Essien, his strongest critic, then Akpan Udoedehe would be arrested and sent to Uyo where Godswill Akpabio would have a good chance to kill the Senator. It is called politics---Akpabio's style.

We could recall that Godswill Akpabio has said, on many occasions, that he would rather kill Senator Akpan Udoedehe than allow him to succeed as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. With the pending case in the Tribunal, a situation where Akpabio never thought would occur, and with the pending case of Engineer Frank Okon against Akpabio for forging a Certificate of Clearance, Akpabio knows that it is becoming inevitable, whether he likes it or not, that Senator Akpan Udoedehe will emerge as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. Now you know the full story.

Essien writes from Portland, Oregon