By John Ighodaro
CALABAR—The police have arraigned the chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Mr. Ubi Itam Ettah, and others for attempted murder, a few days to the council polls in Cross River State.

The case which  came up for hearing at the Magistrate Court, Ugep, the council headquarter, was first heard on July 3, 2010. The accused, together with Okoi John Arikpo, Martins Ubama, and others still  at large, were alleged to have conspired  and attempted to murder Marshall Otu Ofem, Felix Okoi Uket and Eclipse Otu Ofem.

Mr. S.Umoren,  of  the Nigeria Police Force led the prosecution  while the defense was led by Mr. Kierian  Ejukwa, for the accused persons.

Initially, the defence had argued that the Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to hear the case, but after  a counter argument by the prosecution,   the trial Magistrate, Fanian Ekoi ruled that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case.

In court, one of the victims of the alleged murder attempt, Eclipse Ofem, had explained that after he was attacked with machetes by persons suspected to be loyal to the council chairman, he was taken to the chairman’s residence, where he alleged that the chairman was angry with his attackers for having not put him  to death immediately. Ofem came to court with machete cuts.

He further alleged that the chairman later called in the police and gave N2,000 for the first aid treatment of the alleged victim.

The case has meanwhile been adjourned to September 22, 2010.