Witness names Sekibo as Ateke’s sponsor

Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 18.03.2008

The name of former Transport Minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo, was once again mentioned on Monday in connection with Tom Ateke, as trial of an Okrika traditional ruler started.

Giving his statement at a Port Harcourt High Court, the first prosecution witness, Sam Nwisagbo, said the Amanyanabo of Koniju, King Captain Nemi Oputibeya Iyala, who is standing trial on an 11-count charge with two others, had stated during of investigations into the genesis of cultism in Okrika and the state that Ateke was brought in by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Sekibo to help them win election in 1999.

Nwisagbo, a Principal Staff Officer in the State Security Service (SSS), in the Investigations and Operations Department, Rivers State command, said while interrogating the monarch after his arrest, he admitted to most of the charges preferred against him in the court.

“In the course of the investigation, the king said in 1999, Tom Ateke was brought in by the PDP and was commissioned by Abiye Sekibo to help them win the election in Okrika and Rivers State. He said from then on, Ateke took control of Okrika and after the election’ he continued,” he said.

The security witness further stated that the traditional ruler, who has been charged with offences ranging from being part of secret cult activities to abduction and murder, confessed during investigations that he was involved in the abduction of five Russian oil workers.