BENIN CITY -The family of Ekpen-Akenuwa, has berated the authority of the Nigerian Police, Edo State Command, over their inordinate arrest of their son, Mr. Godspower Ekpen-Akenuwa, at the Benin Airport , while in Nigeria to look at the circumstances surrounding the intimidation of his wife, Barr. Faith Ekpen-Akenuwa whose houses in Warri, Delta State and Benin City were ransacked, where some valuable items and documents were carted away.
It would be recalled that, Barr. Faith Ekpen-Akenuwa, had always stood on the path of Justice for the less privileged , especially agitators for good governance.
Speaking with Journalist in Benin City, a source who declined to give her identity, said that trouble started with the lawyer during the EndSARS protest which rocked the Country last year, as she gave legal advice to the protesters, a situation which prompted the police to question her periodically.
She said that as if the questioning was not enough, on the 8th June 2021, prior to the June 12, now known as Democracy Day, anniversary, there were protesters on the streets of Benin City, who registered their dissatisfaction on this present government of Nigeria.
The source added that the police who knew before now that Barr. Faith, usually gives legal advice to the protesters, had travelled out of the country for medical examination, prior to the recent protest which characterized the June 12 celebration.
The source pointed out that the police who were no longer comfortable with the trend forcefully went to their Benin City and Warri residence and carted away some valuable documents after ransacking them, stressing that her husband, who escorted her abroad for the medical checkup, came back to Nigeria, due to the distress calls he received from home.
It was gathered that he wanted to know the rational behind the harassment and threat to the life of his wife, for exercising her fundamental rights to participate in peaceful protests.
The source said that they were amazed to see that the Mr. Godspower Ekpen-Akenuwa,who his a staunch member of the opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), on the 13th of June 2021, after the inglorious June 12 anniversary, was whisked away by the police on his arrival at the Benin Airport, stating that the police also seized some of his valuables and documents. Just as the police immediately declared his wife wanted over her alleged connection with the EndSARS and democracy day protest and the June 12,2021, democracy day protest, even when it was obvious that she was not in the country during the June 12 anniversary protest
The source also confirmed that some hoodlums, suspected to be the supporters of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) political party in Benin City, also invaded the farm of Godspower Ekpen-Akenuwa were farm produce worth millions of naira were destroyed in order to further frustrate his efforts in getting justice
The source maintained that the members of his extended family are anguished over the ugly trend which befell their son and wife, while calling on the timely intervention to save the already bad situation, as the whereabouts of Godspower Ekpen-Akenuwa is yet to be known as at press time, advising the continue brutalisation and harassment might cause another uncontrollable protests which may disrupt socio-economic activities in the State.
