AKHA receives petition on Samuel Toby’s murder, destruction of property in Mkpat Enin
• Udeme Otong, Speaker, AKHA
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has received a petition on the grusome murder of a man named Samuel Toby, as well as the destruction of the deceased property, burning of a residential quarter and other property belonging to some persons named Nsikak Benedict, Raphael Titus, Ofonime Christopher, Anietie Benedict, and Ubong John Ekot, in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The petition was presented to the House at plenary, on Thursday, by the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human rights and Public Petitions, Hon. Aniefiok Attah.
The petition entitled, “Petition on Grusome Murder of Mr Samuel Monday Toby, and the insane destruction of property, and setting ablaze of a residence and property of Mr. Nsikak Benedict, Mr. Raphael Titus, Mr. Ofonime Christopher, Mr Anietie Benedict and Mr Ubong John Ekot”, was addressed to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong.
It was signed by the Chairman, Ikot Akpanobong Youth Vangurd, Comrade Inyene Ekot and the Secretary, Comrade Sunday Joseph Paul.
The group alleged, in their petition, that on December 22, 2023, Samuel Monday Toby, a law abiding citizen of the area, was brutally murdered in his home by some unidentified assailants.
According to the petition, the thugs also set the deceased house ablaze and other houses in the area, as well as destroyed his personal belongings thereby causing irreparable damage and leaving the victims and their loved ones devastated in the process.
The petition which was endorsed by 20 members of Ikot Akpanobong Youth Vangurd, including Usenobong Udokop, Chief Fredrick Douglas Akpan, Cyril Tom and Anthony Akpan, prayed the House to allocate resources to expedite investigation into the murder of Mr. Toby, criminal and wanton destruction of the property of the victims with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
They pleaded with members of the Assembly to ensure that the law enforcement agencies are made to develop comprehensive strategies to address rising crime rates in Mkpat Enin local government area thereby improving on the safety of the people and their property.
The Petition also enlisted the cooperation of the Assembly to collaborate with relevant agencies of Government to provide relief materials and financial assistance to cushion the effect of the dastard action on the victims.
The group called for the suspension of the Village Head of Ikot Akpanobong in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area for investigation to determine his involvement in the incident that gave rise to the petition.
The petition read in part: “He (Village Head of Ikot Akpanobong) is alleged to have sponsored the thugs that attacked victims herein because his overbearing influence over the management of the Akudo Market which he has Superintendent it’s management for many years, appears to have been challenged by the victims who acted under the firm instructions of the Transition Chairman, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area
“Our Community is relying on your leadership and commitment of members of the Assembly to ensure that justice is done on the matter for a better future to be guaranteed”.
The member representing Eket State Constituency, Hon. Nsidibe Akata, moved a motion for the acceptance of the petition. The motion was seconded by Hon. Lawrence Udoide of Ini State Constituency.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, in accepting the petition, referred the matter to the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human rights and Public Petitions for further legislative action, noting that since it had do with the life of a person, serious attention should be given to it.
Otong mandated the commitee to submit a report on the matter to the House in the next sitting.
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to Thursday, 8th February, 2024 by 10 a.m.
Press Unit
Office of the Speaker,
AKHA.
