Akwa Ibom court grants bail to Princess Udoito after 270 days in custody

The Akwa Ibom State High Court has granted bail to Princess Godsown Udoito after she spent 270 days at the Uyo Correctional Facility over alleged defamatory remarks against Governor Umo Eno.

The State High Court, as well as the Court of Appeal in Calabar, had earlier denied Udoito bail on the grounds of the gravity of the alleged offences, flight risk and possible risk to public order.

Her prolonged detention had generated controversy and appeals across the state, with the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), women groups and the Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence Nteyin Solomon Etuk, intervening through passionate appeals to the governor to forgive the defendant and facilitate her release.

Reacting to Udoito’s release on bail, the EPU, in a statement on Wednesday titled, “Our Princess Is Free!”, thanked Governor Eno for his role in the release of their daughter.

The statement, endorsed by the President General, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, and Secretary General, Hon. (Barr.) Bassey Dan-Abia, also thanked the apex royal father in Akwa Ibom, Nteyin Etuk, the paramount rulers of Eket and Esit Eket, as well as other stakeholders in the area who appealed to the governor for a peaceful resolution of the matter.

The union said Udoito was receiving post-release care.

The statement read in part: “We are grateful to the Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno PhD, for his magnanimity, and good heart. His Excellency has shown compassion and sincerity, such that what looked, at the beginning like a stormy war, ended amicably like a family affair.

“In line with international best practices, she is about now receiving the necessary routine medical assistance and counselling post release.”

The EPU therefore declared the matter closed and urged residents of Akwa Ibom to turn their attention to collective development.