By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has taken a swipe at the President of the Union, Williams Akporeha for giving false details while standing in the witness box with the intention to mislead the trial judge in the court on Wednesday.
Akporeha spoke before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama while testifying as the second prosecution witness (PW2) in the attempted murder trial of 20 leaders of PTD.
But while reacting to the account given by NUPENG President, in a chat with some journalists on Thursday at Top Galaxy hotel, Kaduna, Comrade (Alhaji) Tajudeen Abubakar, an elder of the PTD in Kaduna Zone, who was one of the observers during the court proceedings in his allegations concluded that the President was a “perjurist” for lying under oath.
Comrade Tajudeen also expressed worry on how a President of a highly respected Union in the oil and gas sector would have allowed himself to be used for such an embarrassing show of shame to spin lies, an act which according to him stripped the President of every dignity, honour and integrity left in him.
He added that false testimony can not be admissible as evidence in law as it was evident that Akporeha was seen to be fidgeting, incoherent and repetitive throughout the session at the open court in a bid to justify his claims which obviously lacked evidence or proof in the temple of justice.
“NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha claimed if not for the efforts of security personnel he would have been killed or subjected to the violent attacks that nearly claimed the lives of the union’s Secretary General, Afolabi Olawale and the illegal National Chairman of the PTD, Augustine Egbon. I can’t believe you said all these on oath even as a Catholic. Know that there will surely be consequences for misleading the court. Taking National Union leaders of PTD, who have served the union for many decades with excellent records to court on a five count criminal charge, bordering on attempted murder, breach of peace and assault, is not just ridiculous but a taboo, very sacrilegious and purely anti union. And we urge all stakeholders in the trade union movement to take note of this dangerous and shameful aberration.
“Akporeha was simply not a believable person, he brazenly stripped himself of every honour, dignity, and integrity left in him at the Federal High Court of FCT on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. His testimonies were flatly contradicting so much that his legal counsel found it difficult to save him from the embarrassment he put himself, while also desecrating the office he is occupying as a President.
“What he did openly on Wednesday will go down in history and that costly sin will continue to hunt him for bringing the union into total disrepute. Lets keep our fingers crossed as Justice Yusuf Halilu has adjourned further proceedings till November 20, 2024. One thing is certain, Comrade Lucky Osesua, Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Comrade Chief Peter Moudebelu (Onwa), Comrade (Dr) Humble Obinna Power will get justice, and will be discharged and acquitted to the shame of their detractors and destiny killers.
“Akporeha has also failed to realize that he will be cross-examined, whereby all his purported testimonies would be scrutinised and rendered invalid before his very eyes. Whoever that might have told him to do what he exhibited on Wednesday is his greatest enemy in life who truly wishes him no good. Unfortunately these are the kinds of leaders we now have in the union today, those who could not assert authority, and could not call spade a spade, Akporeha is a perfect example of this type of leadership and recruitment error.
“NUPENG President obviously didn’t articulate his thoughts properly, you further claimed you were peeping from the window of the office of the Branch Chairman which gave you vantage position to see all what transpired, and thereafter called the driver of the General Secretary to know his principal’s whereabouts, which means you had your phones with you. You failed to use the same phone that moment to capture videos or pictures of what you saw at record time. The union has its internal mechanisms for resolving crisis not explored, only for you, the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale and your ilk to come to the Court, spin lies and try to be the judge in your own case. That will never work, justice delivery is based on evidence, facts and sufficient proof, not through sentiments or emotions.”