Cross River Governor Orders Release of Detained Critic

Cross River Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu intervened in the case of Denis Odama, a young businessman from Bekwarra Local Government Area, who was detained for allegedly making derogatory comments about him on social media. Otu directed his aides to withdraw the complaint filed against Odama and instructed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to review the matter and take steps to discontinue the case, ensuring Odama's release from the Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar.

Otu stated that his decision was based on the belief that citizens should exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution. He urged young people to express their views responsibly while considering cultural values.

The case had sparked public debate, with calls for Odama's release, including from Arthur Jarvis Archibong, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for the 2027 election.