Mr. Williams Akporeha, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), told an FCT High Court on Wednesday that he feared for his life after being attacked by 20 Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD).
Akporeha was testifying in a case involving an alleged attempted murder filed against former PTD National Chairman, Lucky Osesua, and 19 others. The defendants are facing a five-count charge, including attempted murder, breach of peace, and assault.
During the hearing, Akporeha recounted how he, along with NUPENG Deputy National President Solomon Kilanko, General Secretary Olawale Afolabi, and Augustine Egbon, visited the PTD office in Abuja on Nov. 3, 2023. The office also serves as NUPENG’s liaison office.
Led in his testimony by prosecuting counsel David Kaswe, Akporeha stated that upon arrival, they noticed the office gate was not immediately opened. He said that he saw Osesua, along with two other defendants, standing at the entrance and calling out others who were across the road.
“As we tried to enter the premises, they began shouting, ‘thief, thief,’” Akporeha told the court. He recounted how Afolabi was dragged out and attacked, with the attackers shouting, “We will kill them, and nothing will happen.”
Fearing for his own safety, Akporeha managed to enter the building and sought refuge in the PTD chairman’s office. He said his driver, Peter Raymond, went to the police station to report the attack.
The defendants, including Osesua, Dayyabu Garga, Humble Obinna, and others, have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned the case until Nov. 20 for the continuation of the hearing.
[…] a technical sub-committee assessing the country’s dams, Dallah attributed Nigeria’s frequent flooding to the insufficient number of functional […]