The on-going court battle between Governor Akpabio’s former P.A on Security Matters, Captain Iniobong Ekong (retd) and a top newspaper editor, Ifreke Nseowo suffered a setback last Monday, 13th October, 2014 as the former’s lawyer, Barr. Obio Mkpanam failed to show up in court.
It could be recalled that the case was transferred from Uyo High Court 6 by the presiding judge, Justice Ifiok Ukana to Multi-door-courthouse for a possible amicable settlement between both parties.
After two sessions at the Multi-Door-Court, Uyo, Obio Mkpanam, the case was headed for a peaceful resolution penultimate Monday as both Ekong and Nseowo were meant to appear in court to talk terms but neither Ekong nor his lawyer showed up.
After over an hour wait by the young editor and his legal team, the clerk of the courthouse appeared with a letter from Nkanga & Ekong, the chambers where Mkpannam works, seeking for adjournment of the case.
Mkpannam in the letter, asked for the case to be shifted to either 21st October, 27th October or 5th November, 2014.
Meanwhile, the paper learnt that the report of the outcome of the case at multi-door-courthouse was to be filed at the judiciary in order for Justice Ukana to take a decision as his court is billed to sit on the matter on November 3, 2014.
As at the time of filing this report, a new date has not been agreed upon for the next multi-door-courthouse session. With the case not coming up on 21st October, the likelihood of it holding on November 5 looks slim as it was expected to return High Court on November 3.