Defamation: Gov Emmanuel’s aide insists Senator Akpan was bailed on health grounds

The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Media, Richard Peters has refused to retract a statement credited to him that Senator Bassey Akpan, the Akwa Ibom governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP was released from incarceration on health grounds.

Peters during a live TV interview had claimed that Senator Akpan, popularly known as OBA, was granted bail because of his mental health which was in jeopardy at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional centre.

But, a group from the Senator’s local government under the aegis of ”Concerned Ibiono Ibom Youths’ irked by the comment, mandated Peters to retract the statement and tender apology to the Senator within 72 hours or risk legal action.

The youths in a statement that was copied to the Commissioner of Police, said Peters’ position diminished the image of the Senator who is their son before the right thinking members of the public even as they vowed to take appropriate actions if he refuses.

However, Peters in a statement obtained by our correspondent, insisted that he stands by his position.

He said that paragraphs 10,11 and 12 of the affidavit of the applicant deposed to by one Iniobong Utuk on behalf of the applicant (Senator Bassey Albert Akpan) at the vacation court in Port Harcourt, praying for bail confirmed his claims

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