Pastor says Justice Okoro lied over Amaechi’s bribe allegation

Pastor Ebebe Ukpong has denied leading a former governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Umana, to bribe Justice John Inyang Okoro.

Pastor Ukpong is the third person to deny Justice Okoro’s allegation contained in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, accusing the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, of being behind his ordeal in the hands of the Department of State Services, DSS.

It would be recalled that Justice Okoro, who was arrested by the DSS alongside six other judges in the country over allegations of corrupt practices and professional misconduct, had fingered Amaechi and the Akwa Ibom APC governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections of attempting to bribe him to influence the appeal of the election case at the Supreme Court.

He also mentioned Pastor Ukpong as the person who led Umana Umana to his residence.

Read also: AMAECHI AGAIN! Another justice says he wanted him to compromise in Ekiti, Rivers, Ebonyi election cases

But Ukpong in a statement on Thursday, denied leading anybody to Justice Okoro nor attend any meeting in Okoro’s house where the said issue was discussed.

“I have never led anyone to Justice Okoro nor attended any meeting in his house where the issue of bribery, corruption of any kind or perversion of justice was discussed.

“Of course, I could never have and will never contemplate such as it is against my personal principles informed by my relationship with the Almighty God. I stand always for the truth, integrity and fairness,” the statement added.

Describing Justice Okoro as a brother whom he had known for more than 30 years, Ukpong, said he had lived and worked above politics and partisanship.

His statement reads in part: “I have read in the social media and several newspapers since the night of Tuesday, October 18, 2016, a letter purportedly written by Honourable Justice John I Okoro, JSC, and addressed to the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council.

“In the said letter, Justice Okoro alleged that I led Mr. Umana Umana to visit with him in his residence without giving any details of such visit. Many reactions have followed. I’m constrained to make this statement for record purpose: I have known, in adult context, Hon. Justice Okoro for more than three decades now. He is my brother.

“I have never led anyone to Justice Okoro nor attended any meeting in his house where the issue of bribery, corruption of any kind or perversion of justice was discussed.”, the statement read.

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews…..

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