Defamation: Go and face trial, Bayelsa government tells Okah…says predicament is self inflicted

The Bayelsa State government on Wednesday distanced itself from the

ordeals of a civil servant, currently serving with the Bayelsa State

Ministry of Justice, Jonah Okah, who is facing trial at a magistrate court

7 in Yenagoa, over criminal defamation of Mr. Ritchie Etonye, Government

House accountant.
While advising him to face trial, the government insisted that he

inflicted his present ordeals on himself.
A statement issued in Yenagoa by the State Commissioner for Information

and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, regretted that someone who is on

the payroll of the government would be claiming to be a loyalist of a

beleaguered opposition figure (Timipre Sylva).
The government told Okah to stop dragging the judiciary to the mud but

seek for ways to get himself out of the criminal defamation of

character,Mefor which he is facing trial.
“Neither Governor Dickson or any member of his government is directly or

indirectly influencing Okah’s case. It is purely a matter between him and

Richie Etonye, an accountant”, he stated.
Obuebite saidJonah Okah was at various times absent at his duty post

during the last governorship election ‎but was visible in political party

rallies, using the said party’s (APC’s) insignia without any sanction.

The statement reads:
“Few days ago I issued a statement entitled: “STOP BLAMING US FOR OKAH’s

FATE‎ — BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT”, this was after I discovered the

tissues of lies being peddled by some disgruntled elements  in the social

media concerning Okah’s arrest and remand in prison.

“Surprisingly, Okah himself has issued a statement which his sponsors said

he “smuggled from his prison cell”. ‎In the statement the detained civil

servant turned politician accused Governor Seriake Dickson of master

minding the ugly fate that has befallen him.
“The latest provocative accusation is an unwarranted attack on Governor

Dickson and it is not only spurious but lacks all forms of credible

substance. As a follow up to my earlier statement and a reply to Okah’s

diatribe I wish to again state as follows:
“Neither Governor Dickson or any member of his government is directly or

indirectly influencing Okah’s case. It is purely a matter between him and

Richie Etonye, an accountant.
“Also Governor Dickson and the Bayelsa State Government do not control the

Nigeria Police Force so the style of Okah’s arrest could not have been

orchestrated.
“Okah should recall that the home of the man who took him to court was

also recently invaded by over 50 policemen in a commando style acting on a

false alarm.
“The government of Bayelsa State is not at war with anyone and for someone

like Okah he is too small a person to waste valuable material time on. In

all ramifications the embattled daytime civil servant and nighttime

politician is very inconsequential.
“It is sad that for someone who is on the payroll of the government as at

today, is claiming to be a loyalist of a beleaguered opposition figure.

Everywhere in the world Civil Servants loyalty is with the government of

the day which is why they are often refered to as AGIP (Any Government In

Power)
“Jonah Okah was at various times absent at his duty post during the last

governorship election ‎but was visible in political party rallies, using

the said party’s insignia without any sanction so why should he be

punished now?
“He should stop dragging the judiciary to the mud but seek for ways to get

himself out of the criminal defamation of character case he has found

himself in.  We also caution Okah’s patrons to desist from the blame game

and stop using his travails as a fresh means to commence another round of

hate and inciting campaign against this administration.

“Finally, as a government we will not be distracted by the antics of those

who do not mean well for us and the state. Our focus is to deliver on our

mandate and His Excellency Honourable, Henry Seriake Dickson is leading

that course rightfully.”
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