Cross River gov intervenes, orders release of detained critic

Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has directed his aides, who reported a young Cross Riverian, Denis Odama, to the police over alleged derogatory comments against him, to withdraw the complaint.

The governor also directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to urgently review the matter and, in accordance with his constitutional powers, take steps to discontinue the case and facilitate Odama’s release from the correctional centre.

Otu gave the directive in a statement in which he said he had been “fully briefed” on the circumstances surrounding Odama’s case.

The governor said his decision was informed by his conviction that citizens should be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression, including the right to criticise public office holders.

“As a father and leader, I have directed the aides involved to withdraw their complaint against Mr. Odama,” Otu said.

“I have also directed the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State to urgently review the matter and, in the exercise of his constitutional discretion, take the necessary steps to discontinue the case, so that Mr. Odama may be released from the correctional centre without further delay and reunited with his family.”

Odama, a Cross River-born businessman from Bekwarra Local Government Area, was reportedly arrested in Lagos earlier this month following allegations that he bullied or made derogatory comments against Governor Otu on social media. Reports later indicated that he was transferred to Cross River State and remanded at the Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar.

The development had generated public debate, with calls from political and civil society actors for his release. The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state for the 2027 election, Arthur Jarvis Archibong, had also publicly called for Odama’s release and reunion with his family and workers.

However, Otu, in his latest intervention, stressed that he remained committed to protecting freedom of expression in the state.

He specifically cited Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression, saying the provision applied to all Cross Riverians, including those who criticise his administration.

“I hold a firm belief and faith in the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly Section 39, which guarantees every citizen the right to freely express themselves,” the governor said.

“I remain committed to upholding this right for all Cross Riverians, including those who criticise me.”

While defending the right to free expression, Otu appealed to young people in the state to exercise the freedom responsibly and within the bounds of acceptable social conduct.

He urged them to consider the cultural values and moral standards of Cross River while expressing their views, particularly when their comments concern public officials.

“You voted me as your Governor to listen and to act on positive suggestions, advice, and constructive criticism, and I will continue not only to listen, but to act accordingly,” he said.

The governor further described the protection and development of the state as a collective responsibility, urging citizens to contribute positively to Cross River’s progress.

“Cross River State is our collective responsibility to protect,” he said.

Otu’s intervention effectively shifts the matter from a confrontation over criticism of the governor to a broader reaffirmation of the administration’s stated commitment to constitutional freedom of expression, while leaving the formal discontinuation of the case to the appropriate legal authorities.