Otu Orders Aides to Drop Case Against Critic, Paves Way for Odama’s Release

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has directed aides who filed a police complaint against social commentator and businessman, Denis Odama, to withdraw the case.

The governor also instructed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to urgently review the matter and take steps toward discontinuing the prosecution, clearing the way for Odama’s release from the correctional centre and reunion with his family.

Otu disclosed the directive in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, saying he had been fully briefed on the case involving Odama, who was reported to the police by some of his aides over comments he described as “derogatory and insidious” against him. “As a father and leader, I have directed the aides involved to withdraw their complaint against Mr. Odama,” the governor said.

He explained that he had also directed the Attorney General to review the matter and, within his constitutional discretion, take necessary steps to discontinue the case so that Odama could be released without further delay.

Justifying his decision, Otu cited Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, stressing his commitment to protecting that right for all Cross Riverians, including those critical of his administration. He noted that his mandate as governor required him to listen to the people and respond to constructive criticism, adding that he would continue to do so. At the same time, he urged young people to exercise their right to free speech responsibly, with regard for the state’s cultural values and moral standards.

Odama was arrested by police in Lagos on August 9, 2026, following a complaint from some of Otu’s aides, and was later transferred to Calabar, where he was arraigned and remanded in custody. He spent about a week in detention before the governor’s intervention, having been accused of making derogatory comments about Otu online. The case drew criticism from rights activists and political figures, who had called for his release.

The development came after the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, earlier clarified that the case did not originate from the governor or the state government, stating that the petition was filed by the aides in their personal capacity and should not be linked to the governor’s office.