A lawyer (Mr Joseph Odok) who spoke out his mind concerning what he saw as being wrong in governor Ben Ayade’s government in Cross River state (Nigeria) is languishing in custody since September 2019. According to Viewers Corner News correspondent in Calabar, a court of law in the state which supposed to be the hope of everyone to get justice is now being controlled by the governor of Cross River state. He (governor Ben Ayade) allegedly ordered that anyone who would criticize him and his government just like Mr Joseph Odok and Agba Jalingo did should be arrested. The evidence of such intimidation is there for everyone to see. Their (Joseph Odok and Agba Jalingo) offences were that they criticized governor Ben Ayade of diverting 500 million Naira state Micro finance bank money to his personal use. Governor Ben Ayade instead of suing them to court so that they can explain to the court what they know about the issue, the governor and his group arrested these men (Mr Agba Jalingo and Mr Joseph Odok) and all sorts of unimaginable charges were placed on them. Viewers Corner News team is calling on governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state to release Mr Joseph Odok and Mr Agba Jalingo because their continued detention is uncalled for. In a democratically elected government, freedom of the press is allowed. If the media criticize you (governor Ben Ayade) of any wrongdoing and you are sure that you are innocent, the best thing to do is; take the said individual or individuals to a court of law where they would defend themselves instead of conniving with the police to place unfounded charges against them. We (Viewers Corner News team) would also use this opportunity to remind governor Ben Ayade that lots of people in Cross River state (Nigeria) who wrote to us are against his system of leadership, meaning that if he steps down as the governor of Cross River state, it is likely that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may pay him a visit because the 500 million Naira he is being accused of diverting to his private pocket shall be accounted for. The alleged money (500 million Naira) belongs to the people of Cross River state and not for the governor and his associates.
Source: Viewers Corner News.