The rescued Bayelsa State judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, has absolved the state government of any involvement in his recent kidnapping in a “Thank-you” message he posted on Facebook.
Justice Omukoro spent 12 days in captivity after being abducted by gunmen at an eatery on June 21. He was rescued on July 3 through the combined efforts of the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies.
During his time in captivity, speculation arose suggesting possible government involvement due to the nature of the kidnapping, while others linked the abduction to a judgment he had delivered in a high-profile case.
However, in his Facebook post on Wednesday, Omukoro stated: “For record purposes, I wish to emphasise that conspiracy theories peddled about alleged government involvement in my kidnapping are not correct, as my abductors were clearly propelled by the desire to collect a ransom rather than to do any harm to me.
“Indeed, they did not have any idea about who or what I was and certainly nothing about my identity as a judge, as they had assumed from the nature of the car I drove that I was a politician.
“In the circumstances, I can safely say that my kidnapping was random and had nothing to do with any judgment I had delivered earlier.
“Rest assured, however, that my commitment to justice dispensation remains unshakable.”
Earlier in the post, he expressed deep appreciation to everyone who played a role in securing his release. He specifically thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kekere Ekun, and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, among others.
He wrote: “Words are not enough to express my gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kekere Ekun, His Excellency the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council including His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State and Hon. Commissioners, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, the President of the Bayelsa State Customary Court of Appeal, and other Hon. Judges; Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, the Director of State Security, Bayelsa State Command, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, the President and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chairmen and members of the Yenagoa and Sagbama branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chairman and members of the Nigeria.”
