An Akwa Ibom High Court on Thursday discharged and acquitted Mr. Odudu Ukpanah, the son of the late Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Albert Ukpanah, of murder.
The presiding judge, Justice Ezekiel Enang, said the murder allegation levelled against Odudu by the police and the Akwa Ibom State Government could not be proved, hence, the court set him free.
Odudu, 33, a master's degree holder from Coventry University, United Kingdom, and the only son of the late Ukpanah, was accused of killing his father by the state government during the tenure of Godswill Akpabio.
The late Ukpanah was assassinated on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at his residence.
It was learnt that a police report dated March 25, 2014 stated that the murder was "politically motivated."
The Convener, Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, Inibehe Effiong, told our correspondent that the then Akpabio government had Odudu arrested and detained on trumped up charge of murder.
He added that Odudu had spent almost a year in prison for a crime he knew nothing about before he was granted bail.
He said, "Today, we have been vindicated and the devil has been put to shame. The malicious trial has finally ended on a victorious note as the court has affirmed our position that Odudu did not kill his father.
"I commend the judge for standing on the side of the truth and not submitting to the machinations of the evil ones. Justice has been served and the truth has been upheld."
