The chapter Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Mr, Fabian Okwajie, has commended the governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade over his achievement on the construction of Boki East – West Road that links kayang, Katabang, Boje and Esonben Communities.
His words “On behalf of the leadership of PDP Boki, it’s my honour and privilege to witness this great achievement. Roads are pivotal to development. These road project is a welcome development and will contribute in improving the living conditions of the affected beneficiaries”
Mr. Fabian maintained that when the road is completed, will provide the needed accessibility to the people.
Fabian used the opportunity to reiterates his commitment to ensure a united PDP family in Boki local Government Area.
The Boki East – West road if completed will pave way for massive economic development for the people of Boki LGA and the project would remained a legacy project for our Digital Governor Ben Ayade.
Boki people will remain grateful for some major projects like the Boje bridge and the ongoing construction of Boki East- West road.
There seems to be uncertainty in the Cross River State Judiciary after the National Judicial Council, NJC turned down the request of the state governor demanding for the extension of Justice Eyo Ita as the acting chief judge of the state.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mba Ukweni disclosed this during an interview with him in Calabar. He said the governor has kept the state’s judiciary in a shameful state following his continuous refusal to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme who is the most senior judge in the state as the chief judge.
He therefore appealed to the governor to do the needful by approving the recommendation of the NJC and confirm Akon Ikpeme as the substantive chief judge of the state.
He said: “reliably, the National Judicial Council has turned down the request of the governor for the extension of Eyo Ita; which means by 12 midnight today, the tenure of Justice Eyo Ita will come to and end. The only option as I’ve said, open to the governor, and the most honourable option is for him to go back to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, retransmit his request for the house to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme as the chief judge and swear her in before we turn into another crisis.
“The junior lawyers may not be restrained from going to the streets any longer because it has become a cycle of shame, cycle of foolishness. You know this is a foolish act and you continue doing the same thing. If he can’t do that, the option open to him, is the cycle of foolishness I am talking about, is to appoint Honourable Justice S. M. Anjor as the fourth person in acting capacity who will stay for another 3 months.
“That is the major problem. The other one is the punishment the National Judicial Council has been meting on us. This is the third time judges are been appointed across the states of the federation and we don’t have one because of the attitude of the governor. The implication is that our number will continue depleting in the judiciary and we are not having our share with regards to the judiciary.
”His major agenda is to appoint his in-law, Maurice Eneji who will do his biddings, as the chief judge. He wants to appoint a crony so as to take over that office as he has taken charge of other arms of the government. That is the domineering pattern he wants to take”, the senior lawyer frowned.
Ukweni also noted that unusual things are beginning to happen in the state, bemoaning the recent withdrawal of magistrates in the state from sitting in court because of the governor’s inability to pay them for over one year.
He also said the governor owe residents of the state an apology for his inability to fulfill his campaign promises which has made him to go back to repairing potholes which he earlier said he was not a governor of potholes.
A meeting convened by commissioners in Cross River State to stage a protest over the ruling of the Supreme Court on the conduct of the Ward and Local Government congresses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has ended in a brawl.
A source at the meeting told CrossRiverWatch that the meeting which held at the residence of the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, George O’ben-Etchi was going on smoothly until an argument ensued between Sustainable Development Goals commissioner, Oliver Orok and two others.
The source said, the former Attorney General, Joe Oshie-Abang and Information Commissioner, Asu Okang were also in the verbal argument and exchange of blows.
Asides Messrs. Orok, Abang and Okang, the source said two female commissioners -Rita Ayim and Stella Odey-Inyang had their own brawl on the side.
The aides had gathered to plan a protest for tomorrow with the venue slated for the 11-11 roundabout.
Advert by CRWatch :Place Yours
The Supreme Court had on January 6, 2021 in a judgement delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, upheld the judgement of the PortHarcourt division of the Court of Appeal dated November 2, 2020 which had affirmed the decision of the same division of the Federal High Court on September 4, 2020.
Justices Mary Odili, Ejembi Eko, Mohammed Garba and Samuel Oseji also sat on the panel.
The first respondent and federal lawmaker, Jarigbe Agom had on August 24, 2020 approached the vacation court of the Federal High Court in PortHarcourt seeking at least four reliefs.
The reliefs sought included the utilization of authentic list of ward and chapter executives of the PDP who emerged in congresses held between March 7 – 21, 2020; an order preventing the modification of the list; an order restraining any party in the suit from modifying the list and an order mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct primaries for the senatorial by-election in the constituency designated.
These reliefs were granted and affirmed by all appellate courts.
And, that is said to have dealt a blow to Governor Ben Ayade’s attempt to control fully, the structure of the PDP in Cross River.
There seemed to be a different strategy adopted by Governor Ben Ayade’s camp after the supreme court judgment on ward and chapter exco of PDP in Cross River State.
The supreme had struck out the appeal brought before it challenging the verdict of the Federal Harcourt and the Court of Appeal which authenticated the list that favoured National Assembly Members.
A development that some of Governor Ayade’s Aides have continue to argue that it is in their favor. Some of the aides had even announced the dissolution of the ward and chapter exco by the National Working Committee NWC of PDP.
It was however learnt this evening that Commissioners serving in the Ayade government are currently meeting in one of their colleagues house making finishing touches in preparation of the planned protest.
According to Agba Jalingo on his Facebook page “Ayade’s commissioners brawling in George O’ben-etchie’s house right now, where they are planning a protest against the supreme court judgement tomorrow”
When contacted, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Asu Okang denied the allegation completely and said that “there is no protest, I’m only aware that some junior appointees wants to pay the Governor a solidarity visit to pledge their commitment to the Governor despite the supreme court judgment. To stage a protest will be counter productive”
Supreme Court To Deliver Judgement On PDP C’River Ward and Chapter Exco List Tomorrow
All is set for the apex court (Supreme Court) to deliver judgment on the ward and chapter exco list of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, tomorrow Wednesday, January 6th 2021.
Recall that the PDP in the state has been fractionalized after two lists emanated from the party congresses held to elect ward and chapter exco.
The two factions had the governor, Sen. Ben Ayade as leader while the other faction is led by National Assembly members from the state.
The National Working Committee NWC, had ratified the list that favoured National Assembly members and the exco sworn in virtually.
The faction of the governor had insisted that the governor being the leader of the party in the state must be the one to produce the ward and chapter exco list.
This however led to litigation. The matter was however decided in favour of the National Assembly members at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Dissatisfied with both the judgment of the two courts, the governor’s faction approached the supreme court.
The Lumine News can authoritative report that there seemed to be tension in both camps with many insinuating that the governor may decamp should he lost the ward and chapter exco list to the National Assembly members.
As the supreme delivers judgment tomorrow, it lay to rest which faction will handle the affairs of the party in the state.
Three residents of Okambi community have been shot by a combined team of Police personnel and civilian gunmen in Obudu Local Government Area of northern Cross River State, over the controversial proposed Passenger and Cargo Airport, eyewitnesses say.
The victims are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility while two others arrested are also detained at the Mopol 75 base in Obudu.
The victims include a woman who was shot on both legs, a young man shot in the wrist, another was shot in the elbow while the fourth was hit by a heavy stick by a Police officer which led to him losing consciousness for a while.
The shooting, beatdown and arrests occurred when resident protested to halt the demolition of houses without compensation by the Cross River State Government to pave way for its proposed Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport.
Mr. Paul Obi, an aide to Governor Ben Ayade who is in charge of the project had written the community to inform them that demolition will commence today while compensation will be processed at a later date.
“We mobilized our youths and women and went there to tell them that they had to resettle us first and pay compensation before the demolition of our homes, but they brought guns, Operation Akpakwu and gangstars to shoot at us and chase us away while the bulldozers moved in,” a senior resident (name withheld based on advice from security experts) told CrossRiverWatch moments ago.
Operation Akpakwu is a security team comprising of personnel from the Police, military and paramilitary forces operating in the State set up in December to combat the rising spate of kidnappings, gang wars and armed robbery.
Meanwhile, Mr. Paul is said to have employed civilians and armed them to protect himself following allegations that he was not advising Mr. Ayade properly which led to the myriads of challenges bedeviling the airport project.
In his statement to CrossRiverWatch, he claimed those injured were shot by natives of Okambi community and accused them of attacking a Police officer.
“Community men shot an Operator, burnt a Dozer (sic), vandalized many, deep machete cut on a Police officer attached to project (sic),” he wrote.
On those injured, he wrote: “Those who got gun shots were from unprofessional handling of firearms within Okambi Youths. One Iduku Udide and Alonso Ukaba did the shooting that affected them within the crowd.
But, Kajetan Ifeanyi, another eyewitness said the protesters demanded to see the Governor in person for meaningful agreement to be reached, and also ordering the suspension of work within the Okambi axis.
According to Kajetan, “Today being Tuesday, 5th of January 2021, it was indeed a tragic morning in the Community as security operatives numbered in their hundreds alongside some thugs and contractors stormed the project site to resume work, reacting to this development, the villagers mobilised themselves to protest against this public ignominy.”
He explained that the lady shot is a breastfeeding mother.
This is not the first time violence has erupted over the airport which has cost two lives including those of a Senior Immigration personnel, Mr. Emmanuel Ushie and one community chief in Igwo village.
Dozens have been arrested with some facing trial while properties of those who spoke vocally over the discrepancies in compensation have had their properties seized and kept at the Mopol 75 Squadron base at the Mega Hilton hotel owned by Mr. Ayade.
The State recently claimed that over NGN900 million was paid as compensation to the residents of the five impacted communities. But, natives of these communities have continuously denied this, especially Okambi and Ikwomikwu which will lose at least 80 and 90 percent of ancestral lands. Those affected have also challenged the State to publish the list of beneficiaries.
Operation Akpakwu averted a robbery incident in Satellite town in Calabar, and arrested two thieves.
The incident happened when the thieves broke into the Presbyterian church, grace land, Satellite town, to cart away chairs, musical instruments and other valuables belonging to the church.
Unfortunately, luck ran out of them when concerned members of the church saw when they broke into the church and alerted Operation Akpakwu, and in their swift response to crime, the team caught these two thieves.
One of the defining moments of 2020 was the setting up of the Operation Akpakwu by Gov. Ayade. The team has recorded unprecedented success in the fight against crime.
Interestingly, the ancient city of Calabar is beginning to witness relative peace.
The Special Anti-kidnapping squard code named Operation Akpakwu, has napped a notorious kingpin suspected to have been terrorizing Calabar residents, Mr. Bassey Bassey Etim and his gang in Calabar, on the 7th December, 2020.
According Andrea Ekeng Inyang, Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade on Strategic Communication, “Operation Op got intelligence by intelligent officers and swung into action. Bassey was said to have been spotted with his gang around the Anantigha axist of Calabar South.
“Operation Akpakwu responded immediately and surrounded all escape perimeter, then clamped on the criminal suspect with his gang (check pictures)
“Also confirmed is the presence of
Operation Crocodile Smile which is now permanently stationed in Anantigha, Calabar South Local Government Area.
“As at yesterday, OP CS invaded and combed the entire Anantigha and Jebbs creeks in search of kidnappers and notorious gang leaders.
“Meanwhile the State Security Department has dismissed report making the rounds on social media that one person was shot dead at Ekpo Abasi junction, Calabar South in the early hours of yesterday, describing the report as false.
“Speaking on the development, the Department said it received a distressed call from a shop owner of sporadic shooting around the environment which necessitated the prompt response of OP Akpakwu but on arrival it was discovered that the blaring sound from “knock-out” being thrown into a popular shop was mistaken for gunshots”
The Student Union Government of the Cross River College of Health Technology has concluded plans to lead a massive protest to Gov. Ben Ayade’s office for failure of the governor to restore the salary structure of staff of the College.
Addressing newsmen in Calabar, SUG President of the institution, Bassey Chima Kedemiti, said that the incessant strike embarked upon by staff of the institution over the salary structure had disrupted their academic calendar and directly prolonged their stay in school.
It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) of the institution embarked on a one week warning strike over the suspension of its Consolidated Polytechnic and Colleges of Education and Academic Salary Structure by the state government.
The suspension of the Consolidated Polytechnic Academic Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) by the state government in Nov. 2019 has been described by members of the unions as “unwarranted”.
CONPCASS and CONTEDISS salary structures were approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission in 2010 and implemented in 2011 for all Polytechnics, Monotechnics and College of Health Technology in Nigeria.
The SUG President lamented that their license examination have been put on hold because of the incessant strikes by lecturers of the institution over the salary structure.
“We are a population of over 5,000 students and we are hitting the street on a peaceful protest on November 30th if the state government fails to restore the salary structure of our staff.
“We are going to block the road on that day and there will be no movement along Mary Slessor road in Calabar. As the SUG President, I am going to lead over 3,000 students in a peaceful protest if the state government doesn’t restore the salary structure of staff of this institution.
“I know what our students can do, hence it will be nice for the governor to restore the salary structure and allow us have a smooth academic calendar,” he said.
Also speaking, the NACRISS President of the Institution, Comrade Obongha David Igri, said that the state government had neglected the welfare of their staff since 2017.
According to him, “College of Health Technology Calabar hardly embark on strike, not until this present administration came on board”.
“I must tell you the truth, the state government has not tried in meeting with the demands of staff of this institution.
“Students were supposed to have graduated and be mobilised for NYSC, but the state government had drastically reduced the salary of staff of this institution.
“We appeal with the state government to restore the salary structure of staff of this institution for the sake of the students.
“I am joining my strength with the SUG President to say that if the salary structure is not restored, we will embark on a massive protest on November 30th to the governor’s office,” he said.
No fewer than three persons have been kidnapped in Calabar the Cross River State Capital in one night, November 18th, 2020.
The Lumine News gathered that the kidnappers are demanding as low as #20,000.00 for their release. Many spectators have continue to maintain that Calabar is no longer safe, the state continue to deny this allegations.
The three persons kidnapped are;
Eunice Peters was picked at Mbukpa market in Calabar south.
The second lady was kidnapped at Atekong drive by Master’s Hair cut.
The daughter of the owner of Sparks Shop was also kidnapped.
As at the time of filling this report, we are yet to confirm whether efforts have made to pay the twenty thousand naira ransom for the release of the kidnapped victims.
