I did not lead Umana to Justice Okoro’s house — Pastor Ukpong

Pastor Ebebe Ukpong has refuted the claim by Justice Inyang Okoro that he (Ukpong) led the former Akwa Ibom’s Secretary to the State Government and 2015 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umana, to his (Okoro) house to discuss issue of manipulating court judgments in favour of Umana.

Recall that Justice Okoro of the Supreme Court in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, had alleged that Pastor Ukpong led Umana to his house.

“Umana also made the same request of assistance to win his appeal at the Supreme Court. Umana talked about ‘seeing’ the justices who would hear the appeal. Pastor (Dr.) Ebebe Ukpong, who led Mr. Umana Umana to my house, intercepted and said that the issue of ‘seeing’ the justices was not part of their visit and that, as a pastor, he would not be part of such a discussion. Mr. Umana apologised. I advised them to go and pray about the matter and get a good lawyer. That was how they left my house,” he said in the letter.

However, Pastor  Ukpong, who claimed he had known Justice Okoro for more than three decades, denied leading Umana to his house to discuss such issue.

 “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. 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,” he said in the statement.