A former Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, has criticized the latest media trial targeting the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
At Press Briefing held over the weekend in Eket, Chief Essien said although the demand for accountability is fundamental, such must however follow legitimate processes.
"At some point, we must differentiate genuine demands for accountability from opportunistic grandstanding. Public officials are, by default, subject to scrutiny by the EFCC, ICPC, and other anti-graft agencies. If there are legitimate grounds for prosecution, due process will take its course. Until then, let us refrain from fueling baseless media trials.
"I have previously criticised Udom Emmanuel, just as I have done with Obong Victor Attah and Chief Godswill Akpabio. My criticisms were never for financial inducement, personal gain, or public appeasement. Rather, they were based on principle."
"Accountability is fundamental, but it must be pursued through legitimate channels. Justice is not served by reckless declarations of guilt in the media to advance a particular agenda", he said.
The former National Assembly Member further accused self-proclaimed crusaders, especially, Fejiro Oliver of plotting sensational media trials to extort money from unsuspecting individuals.
He alleged that Oliver's strategy involves making unfounded allegations and then proceeding with a media trial, even without tangible evidence, an approach, the Elder Statesman noted undermines the legitimate pursuit of accountability and justice.
"The latest drama in the long-standing tradition of sensational media trials, where self-proclaimed crusaders embark on arranged campaigns, luring unsuspecting persons into what ultimately amounts to an elaborate extortion scheme.
"A notable figure in this game is Mr. Fejiro Oliver, whose so-called "anti-corruption" enterprise is based in the United States but curiously set up an African office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom", he added.
He also took a swipe at Senator Ita Enang for aligning himself with Oliver's tactics, advising that Enang should focus more on championing legislative reforms against corruption.
While condemning what he described as ethnic undertones in the pursuit of accountability, Chief Nduese stressed that corruption, accountability, and the rule of law transcend ethnic affiliations.
"Whether one hails from Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, or any other part of the state, the law remains the law. Those purporting to fight corruption must do so with fairness and objectivity, rather than sowing discord along ethnic lines to manipulate public sentiment", Chief Essien noted.
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