Efio-Ita Nyok|23 July 2016|8:23AM
Mr Odigha Odigha, the erstwhile chair of Cross River State Forest Commission, had been nabbed by the Police on 21 July. Critics of the government, notably among which is Mr Thomas Mbeh Ifere have raised allegations against the state governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, to the tune that Gov Ayade instigated the arrest of Odigha because of his activism against the state's government policy of deforestation of pristine forests that have the 260-kilometre super highway project coursing in its path.
Yesterday however, Governor Ben Ayade through his Chief Press Secretary Christian Ita has responded to the allegations denying his involvement in the police incident. According to Ita, 'There was an audit panel set up in 2015 which indicted Odigha of fraud and sundry malfeasances. It was based on the findings of the audit panel report that a petition was sent to the police leading to his arrest and detention. He should be man enough to answer to his deeds while in office as chairman of the state’s forestry commission'.
The media aide who described the allegation as ludicrous, mischievous and preposterous further contended that, 'the governor was too preoccupied with issues of development to be distracted by those whose sins while in office are beginning to find them out'.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroidhaven.org (Negroid Haven)
