The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a man following a cyberstalking complaint by Prince Akpabio. He is the lawmaker for the Essien Udim State Constituency in the House of Assembly.
Prince Akpabio, who is the nephew of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is running for re-election with the APC. He switched from the PDP to the APC with Governor Umo Eno last year.
The man in custody, Mitchel Nkereuwem, is the husband of Inemesit Nkereuwem. She is the ADC candidate hoping to defeat Prince in the 2027 election.
Mitchel was remanded by a Magistrate Court in Uyo after being accused of sharing a WhatsApp audio recording that allegedly contained defamatory and threatening remarks about the lawmaker.
Arrest and Petition
Ewa Okpo, a member of Mr Nkereuwem’s legal team, shared details on Facebook. He said Prince accused Mitchel of publishing the audio on a WhatsApp group for the Essien Udim community.
Mr Okpo noted that the recording had been shared in many WhatsApp groups before it reached his client, who only forwarded it.
“The maker of the audio identified himself,” Mr Okpo stated, arguing that the person who made the recording is known but has not been arrested.
He also mentioned that Mr Nkereuwem was held from about July 24 until several days later, despite laws requiring that suspects be brought to court within a specific time.
The lawyer added that the magistrate kept Mr Nkereuwem in custody until he could appear before a court that handles cyberstalking cases. The case is set for August 11.
Wife Alleges Political Persecution
In a video on Facebook, Mrs Nkereuwem claimed Prince orchestrated her husband’s arrest because of her political ambitions.
“I’ve never made a video like this before, but I’m so heartbroken and forced to do this,” she said.
“My husband was arrested on Friday by Prince.
“What did my husband do? Someone else recorded an audio clip about Prince and posted it online. My husband forwarded that clip to another platform, saying, ‘Look at what someone is saying to our brother.'”
She claimed police broke into their home to arrest her husband, ignoring his health issues.
“You locked him up for days without thinking about his health. What if he had collapsed? What if he died there?” she questioned.
Mrs Nkereuwem also asked why the person who made the recording had not been arrested.
“The main person that recorded the audio is not arrested because Prince has something against my husband,” she said.
“Because I’m running for the State Assembly, you think it is okay to lock up my husband.”
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, Mrs Nkereuwem said the police checked her husband’s phone and told the family they believed he recorded the clip.
She insisted that her husband did not create the recording and claimed the arrest was aimed at hindering her political goals.
Audio Under Scrutiny
A review of the audio by PREMIUM TIMES shows it focuses on a personal conflict involving Mr Akpabio and a man named Akpan Ikpe. The recording includes comments that seem to threaten the lawmaker.
However, PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm if Mr Nkereuwem just forwarded the recording or if investigators have more evidence linking him to it.
The lawmaker did not reply to multiple calls and a text seeking his comments.
The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Timfon John, said she would respond when contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, but had not done so by the time of this report.
Mr Nkereuwem remains in custody as the case awaits further action. The next court date is set for August 11.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇