Banker arrested, arraigned, detained over ‘damaging’ Facebook post against Gov Udom, others

A staff of Prudential Microfinance Bank, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, has been arrested, and arraigned in court for posting materials on his Facebook page considered damaging to Governor Udom Emmanuel and other staff of the Akwa Ibom State Government House.

Itok who was said to have been picked up over a month ago, was arraigned on Tuesday, before a magistrate court in Uyo, the state capital by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He was accused of writing numerous articles, and constituting himself into a nuisance “by publishing damaging and annoying articles” on his Facebook page “with the aim of harassing, blackmailing and bringing to disrepute”, the governor and other staff of the Akwa Ibom State Government House.

Itok, 21, and a marketer with Prudential Microfinance Bank, Uyo, has been remanded in prison, though reports did not indicate if his plea was taken in court or not.

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The charge against him reads, “That you, Mr Michael Itok and another now at large, sometimes in October, 2019 at 1000 Units Housing Estate, Idu Uruan, Uruan Local Government Area, within the Uyo Magisterial District did constitute yourself into a nuisance by publishing damaging and annoying articles on your Facebook page with the aim of harassing, blackmailing and bringing to disrepute His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and other staff of the Akwa Ibom State Government House, and thereby commits and offence punishable under Section 6(1) (f) of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and Enforcement Law, 2009.”

Itok on his Facebook page says he is self employed, and a “stwaad” to the state governor at Governor’s Office.

A look at Itok’s Facebook page where he also describes himself as a political analyst/activist and good governance advocate does reveal a number of articles and write ups against Governor Udom.

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