Justice Archibong Archibong of the Akwa Ibom state High court has ordered a councillor in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state, Usuak Nseobot, to be remanded in prison for allegedly assaulting a woman, Iniubong Essien, and stripping her naked.

Nseobot was arraigned in court for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting, and publicly stripping the woman Essien, who he had accused of stealing some naira notes that was sprayed on him and his wife, Aniedi, at their wedding.

At the hearing of the case today November 14th, the judge ordered that Mr Nseobot be remanded in prison, after the councillor pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him by the police.

Iniubong had previously told journalists that she assisted the Nseobots in cooking their wedding food but denied being the person that picked the money at the wedding. She was reportedly abducted from her home in Uyo in November 2018, driven to a village in Ibiono (about 27 kilometres) and paraded before a village hall around 10 a.m.

“I was beaten and forced to walk stark naked in the village hall, they removed my dress, my bra, and my pant, Ms Essien, who is over 40 told Premium Times. 

“People were inside the village hall, I think he (the councillor) may have told them that he was bringing a thief for them to beat, so the whole place was filled with people.

“He was mixing charcoal with pepper to rub on my body, but he didn’t rub (it) on me. They tied a rope around my waist and said I must dance naked before the village people.” she said

Iniubong who was in court today, said she is happy with the decision of the judge to sent Nseobot to prison.

“I am so happy with what has happened.” she said