Family Petitions Akwa Ibom CJ As Murder Suspect Gets Controversial Bail

The family of late Itoro John from Etinan local government area of Akwa Ibom State has petitioned the state’s Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Ekaette Obot, over the gruesome murder of their son, wondering why the suspect was surreptitiously granted bail.

In the petition jointly signed by the mother of the deceased, Ekaette Jim; wife of the deceased, Imaobong John and the brother Johnson Anameti, which was made available to LEADERSHIP Weekend in Uyo on Friday, the family expressed worry that the murder suspect, Enefiok Stephen, the youths’ president of the community was granted bail in what they described as “a liberal term.” 

In the petition entitled, “Demand for Justice in the Murder of Mr Itoro John by Mr Enefiok Stephen”, they recalled that the case was properly investigated by the Police and charged to court.

They, however expressed sadness over the handling of the matter by the Etinan High Court, which they accused of hurriedly granting bail to the suspect on presentation of a “fake medical report,” despite the objection by the prosecutor that the suspect should be remanded in custody while a medical examination should be conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

They appealed to the CJ to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served and the culprit made to face the wrath of the law “for him not to constitute a threat to the deceased’s wife and children listed in the case.”