Cross River gov orders aides to withdraw case against critic

Cross River Governor Bassey Otu has instructed his aides to withdraw their complaint against social commentator and businessman Denis Odama. Odama was arrested in Lagos on August 9, 2026, following a report by Otu's aides about a comment Odama made about the governor online. The governor, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to review the case and take appropriate steps to discontinue the prosecution, allowing Odama's release from the correctional centre and reunion with his family.

The governor cited Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects freedom of expression, and emphasized his commitment to upholding this right for all citizens, including those who criticize his administration. Otu urged young people to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly and with respect for the state's cultural values and moral standards.