Press Statement by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch on the Brutal Murder of Mfon Etukudoh, Esq.

Mfon Etukudoh Esq, has become part of the worrisome statistics of those who have lost their lives in Ukanafun Local Government Area in recent time. Ukanafun Local Government Area has recorded an unprecedented upsurge in violent crimes that has left tears and sorrows in its wake. Prominent citizens of the area have in the recent time met with violent death, including late Engr Albert Ukpanah, Hon Okon Uwah (former Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly), Obong Ime Atakpa, (former Secretary of the Council) and his political associate, Mr. Akaninyene Udo Aka, a Youth Leader identified as Paragi, among others. The Nigerian Bar Association is deeply pained by this loss of her member and calls on security agencies, the government of the State and the political and traditional elites in the area to ensure that all those involved in the killing of Mfon Etukudoh, Esq, are brought to book. While we commend the Akwa Ibom State Command of The Nigeria Police for the efforts so far put in combating the evil master minds of these heinous crimes in Ukanafun, we urge them to redouble efforts in battling the monsters turning the Local Government Area into a killing mine and restore security and peace in the area. We passionately urge the State government to use every available means, including political, traditional and security means to restore normalcy and put an end to the human carnage going on in that Local Government Area. The government should give security agencies maximum support in their constitutional duties of securing lives and properties in the State. The Nigerian Bar Association is willing at all times to assist the State and the security agencies in the task of properly investigating these crimes and bringing the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law. No person found to be in any way connected to these mindless killings should be spared, no matter how highly placed the person may be. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) calls on the people of Ukanafun to rise up and say enough is enough to the persons or groups turning their land to a terror zone. They must assume responsibility and stop those, who for political and other reasons, are turning their wives into widows and their children into orphans. As for our colleague, Mfon Etukudoh, Esq, the Association will stop at nothing to ensure a thorough investigation and successful prosecution of all those connected to his death. We appeal to our members to remain calm while we await police report on the murder of our colleague. We sincerely commiserate with Mfon Etukudoh, Esq’s family and urge them to be strong, while assuring them of NBA’s support at this trying time. Signed: Eno-Obong Akpan Esq Chairman For: Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch]]>