OKOCHIRI KINGDOM PRESS RELEASE
The attention of the Chiefs, Elders and good people of Okochiri Kingdom have been drawn to an inscription on a flex banner which reads, ‘WIKE IS MAKING CRIMINALS KINGS’ with the pictures of HRM King Ateke Michael Tom, JP, boldly displayed on the flex during a Pro-SARS rally organized by the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Rivers State.
The Okochiri Kingdom condemns this in its entirety and in strong terms, this damaging, malicious, provocative, insultive and self-serving inscription targeted to malign and dent the hard earned reputation of His Royal Majesty, who for over a decade has sacrificed his time, resources and sustained peace in Okrika, Rivers State and Niger Delta in general.
It is an established fact that for anyone to be called a criminal, he must have been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
For the records and the avoidance of doubt, we want to state categorically that His Majesty has never been involved in any criminal activity or convicted by any court in Nigeria and beyond.
We query the rationale behind the criminality tag placed on His Royal Majesty, and therefore demand that this statement be retracted and a public apology rendered to the Chiefs, Elders and good people of Okochiri Kingdom and His Royal Majesty, in both local, national print and electronic media within 48 hours or be prepared to face appropriate legal action against the persons identified.
Meanwhile we urge all in the Kingdom to remain peaceful.
Signed:
ELDER SAMUEL IYOYO
Chairman
MEDIA/PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
OKOCHIRI KINGDOM.
