Man allegedly knocks down friend by vehicle to avoid paying N30,000 debt

Etim Effiong

A young man has allegedly run over his friend by a vehicle to avoid paying a debt of N30,000 he owed the deceased.

Essien Akpoiko James, the son of Late Rev. OJ Essien of 32, Gibbs Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has allegedly hit Ephraim Edet Okon George by a Lexus car on May 12.

Eyewitnesses, who took to social media to call out the suspect, said the victim was immediately rushed to Life Care Hospital, Uyo.

They added that the suspect sped off to the nearest police patrol team and complained that he was attacked by bandits.

The police reportedly accompanied him to Gibbs Street where he had knocked down his friend and (the police) fired many gunshots scare the crowd.

It was, however, learnt that Akpaniko together with the armed men went to the same hospital where Ephraim was taken to for treatment.

It was gathered that when the victim died, the armed men allegedly rushed the suspect out of the hospital premises by shooting into the air to save him from being lynched.

It was alleged that the suspect, the son of a late wealthy pastor, was deported from abroad on account of criminality.

He was allegedly indebted to Ephraim and refused to pay, instead he threatened to harm his friend if he should ever remind him of his (Akpaniko) indebtedness.

On the fateful day, Ephraim allegedly met Akpaniko for his money and Akpaniko 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.

Akpaniko is allegedly on the run.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, Odiko Macdon, could not be reached for comments as his telephone rang out. He did not also respond to text message that was sent into his telephone.