The paramount ruler of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Emmanuel Oru-Ojong, has called on Governor Bassey Otu to release his subject, former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development and Control, Oscar Ofuka.
He has urged Otu to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations against Ofuka instead.
He insisted that Ofuka has not committed any offense that would warrant his arrest and detention for over a week.
He made the call through Ntufam Odu Ndep, Chairman of the Crisis Management Committee of Mbume Blocks of Clans, comprising Abia, Bendeghe Ekiem, and Etomi communities in Etung LGA.
The monarch claimed that Ofuka’s ordeal is being masterminded by his political foes, who he alleges are willing to go to any length to bring him down.
“Ofuka’s detention is a political witch hunt. He is absolutely devoid of any criminal record as framed up by those pursuing him.
“Linking Ofuka or any member of his family to the recent death of a worker in the government cocoa estate is absolutely outlandish, ill-motivated, grossly unfounded, trumped-up, and a political witch hunt.”
He reminded Otu that, as a former federal lawmaker, he should not knowingly condone the abuse of office being perpetrated against Ofuka by some government officials and security operatives.
“There is no gainsaying that Ofuka had discharged his duties in the capacity officially conferred upon him, following the directives clearly defined by the immediate past administration under which he served concerning cocoa farms allocations without incident.
“It is on that score that I am fervently appealing for your kind intervention against the backdrop of overwhelming calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Ofuka.
“I am appealing that Ofuka should be released once he recuperates at the hospital. He should be released as he cannot be held directly responsible for any presumed errors of the past administration,” he said.
