A United States deportee has been accused of running his friend over with a car to avoid paying a debt of 30,000 Naira.
The man identified as Essien Akpoiko James, son of the late Rev. OJ Essien of 32, Gibbs Street, Uyo, allegedly ran Ephraim Edet Okon George over with a Lexus car on May 12, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The victim was said to have gone to Essien to ask for his money back, according to eyewitnesses who took to social media to call out the suspect.
The debt was said to have been long-standing, as the suspect refused to pay. The suspect was also accused of threatening to harm George if he continued to raise the issue of the debt.
On the fateful day, after George asked Essien for his money, the suspect asked him to wait for him to get it. He then allegedly entered an unregistered Lexus and drove it with speed against the victim, knocking him down.
The victim was immediately rushed to Life Care hospital and the suspect was said to have sped off to the nearest police patrol team and complained that he was attacked by kidnappers.
Some armed policemen were said to have followed him back to Gibbs Street where he had knocked down his friend and fired several gun shots which scared the gathering crowd.
Essien was also allegedly escorted by the armed men to the same hospital where George had been taken.
When the victim died, the said armed men allegedly rushed the suspect out of the hospital premises by shooting into the air to save him from being lynched.
Essien has allegedly disappeared to an unknown destination, while their mutual friends continue to call him out on social media.
