Terrorism:  Ime Umannah’s Trial Suffers another Set Back

 The  terrorism charge against the former Chairman of Newswatch Communications Ltd, publishers of Newswatch magazine, and a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Ime Sampson Umannah, suffered another set back on Monday, at Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, the state capital.The trial judge, Justice Idongesit Ntem-Isua, who is the Chief Judge of the state, did not sit.

 The Principal Registrar of the court, Mr. Edet Udo, told the National Mirror that the chief judge was in Abuja, for ''official engagement''. Trial was similarly stalled on December 16, 2010 when the case came up due to the failure of prosecution to go ahead with the matter. The PDP chieftain and one Ikemesit Iyire are facing a two-count charge of terrorism and threat to life, and sponsoring terrorism and threat to life in Charge No. HU/49C/2010

 The state Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner, Mr. Ekpeyoung Ntekim, is leading a team prosecuting counsels while the defence team is led by Mr. Samuel Ikpo. Umannah, the second accused person was however, granted bail on November 18, 2010 on health condition, while the first accused person, Iyire, was granted bail on December 13, 2010. The case is coming up again on Thursday, January 20. In another development, the ex-Newswatch chairman has called on the people of Akwa Ibom to turn out massively and register as voters, saying they need to arm themselves with the registration cards to enable them effect change in the state.

 ''We cannot effect positive change in our state if we fail to turn out massively for the on-going voters registration exercise'', he said, adding, ''if we are comfortable with the current reign of terror, kidnappings and assassinations, let us treat the current exercise as business as usual. But, if we need a change, lets make use of this fresh voters registration exercise''.