Monarch solicits Gov Otu’s intervention in Ayade’s Ex-Aide case
His Royal Majesty (HRM) Dr. Emmanuel Oru-Ojong, the traditional ruler of Etung local government area, has called on Governor Bassey Otu to address the “ordeal” of Dr. Oscar Ofuka, who previously served as the Special Adviser on Cocoa Development and Control under former Governor Ben Ayade.
The former Governor’s aide is held “hostage” by government officials despite his health challenges.
Representing the monarch, Ntufam Odu Ndep, the Chairman of the Crises Management Committee of Mbume Blocks of Clan, comprising Abia, Bendeghe Ekiem and Etomi communities in Etung LGA, stated that Ofuka cannot be held responsible for offenses he did not commit.
“It’s a political witch hunt; Ofuka is absolutely devoid of any criminal record as framed up by those pursing him,” the royal father claimed, adding that Ofuka’s travails had been “masterminded by his political arch foes willing to go at any length to bring him down.”
The monarch, who was reinstated in suit number HC/96/2022 on March 23, 2023, urged the governor to set up a commission of inquiry made up of “men and women of proven integrity” to investigate the allegations against Ofuka.
“Many would consider any attempt to link the name of Dr. Ofuka or that of any member of his family to the recent dead of a worker in the government cocoa estate as absolutely outlandish, ill motivated, grossly unfounded, trumped up and political witch hunt,” the traditional ruler said.
Expressing his confidence in Otu’s leadership, the monarch appealed to the governor, who once served as a lawmaker, to intervene and prevent the “abuse of office” against Ofuka by government officials and security operatives.
“Unless there is factual evidence to invalidate my assumption, I am in earnest inclined to think that as a law maker in which capacity you once served our great nation, you cannot knowingly condone the abuse of office being perpetrated against Ofuka by some government officials and security operatives,” the traditional ruler said.
The monarch further stated that Ofuka had diligently discharged his duties in the capacity officially conferred upon him, following the directives of the immediate past administration under which he served, “concerning cocoa farms allocations without incident.”
Regarding the financial aspects of Ofuka’s work, the traditional ruler revealed that the former adviser had overseen the clearing of a 16-year-old debt owed to the cocoa landlord community, which was facilitated through a special arrangement involving the state’s Attorney General, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
“The consent judgment to which the aforesaid arrangement alludes to is appropriately deemed an inherited commitment, legally binding on the incumbent administration of the state by law since government is continuum,” the monarch explained.
The royal father averred that the “Ongoing harassment and torment” being subjected to Ofuka is ”
” Outrageous, grossly misplaced and absolutely unacceptable,” adding that “death is not the price he pays for a job more than well done.”
In a fervent appeal, the traditional ruler urged the governor to intervene and ensure Ofuka’s immediate and unconditional release once he recuperates at the hospital, as he “Cannot be held directly responsible for any presumed error of the past administration.” the Royal father stressed.
