The Cross River Renaissance Group (CRRG) has dismissed recent statements seeking to portray the legal challenges involving the Chairman of the Cross River State Anti Illegal Mining Taskforce, Prince Paul Effiong, as politically motivated, describing such narratives as misleading, malicious and a calculated attempt to drag Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu into matters arising from alleged personal actions.
In a statement signed by its leader, Comrade Ikor Ikor Isaiah, the group said the wave of press releases and public campaigns being orchestrated by different groups was an attempt to distort facts already established in the public domain.
According to the group, it is important to remind the public that allegations of abuse of office against Prince Paul Effiong did not emerge overnight, but followed a series of actions that culminated in legal proceedings with far reaching consequences.
"It is on public record that several cases arising from the activities of the Anti Illegal Mining Taskforce resulted in judgments against the Cross River State Government, His Excellency Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the Attorney General of the State, Prince Paul Effiong and the relevant security agencies," the statement read.
The group further noted that one of the judgments reportedly awarded damages of ₦5 million against the defendants, adding that the financial burden imposed on the state should have served as a moment of reflection for every public office holder entrusted with responsibility.
Rather than learning from those developments, the group alleged that fresh complaints emerged suggesting that licensed miners were subjected to arrangements requiring payments into a personal account instead of recognised government channels.
"If these allegations are true, then they raise fundamental questions about personal accountability in public office. Public appointments are built on trust, transparency and adherence to due process. No public official, regardless of status, possesses the authority to create personal revenue collection mechanisms outside established legal procedures," the statement continued.
The Cross River Renaissance Group stressed that being appointed by the Governor does not confer immunity from the law or grant anyone the licence to act outside the limits of their statutory responsibilities.
"No Governor appoints an individual to engage in fraudulent practices, abuse official powers or assume the roles of investigator, prosecutor, judge and executioner. Every public servant is individually accountable for his or her conduct, just as the Governor himself remains accountable for the constitutional responsibilities attached to his office."
The organisation therefore described attempts to shift responsibility to Governor Otu as both mischievous and politically motivated.
"It is unfair and intellectually dishonest to suggest that every personal action taken by an appointee should automatically be attributed to the Governor. We reject this narrative in its entirety because it seeks to personalise institutional issues for political advantage."
The group also criticised efforts to drag the name of Commissioner Dodoye Okoi into the controversy without substantiated evidence, insisting that public accusations must be founded on verifiable facts rather than speculation.
"Every responsible government carries out due diligence before making appointments and equally reserves the right to discipline or remove any appointee found wanting. It is therefore premature and irresponsible to attempt to malign individuals without allowing due process to take its course."
On reports surrounding Prince Paul Effiong's rearrest, the Cross River Renaissance Group urged restraint, noting that the full circumstances remain before the appropriate authorities.
"We believe it would be improper to speculate on the reasons for the rearrest while investigations and legal processes are ongoing. If the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Mining Cadastre Office believe there are issues requiring legal scrutiny, then every citizen should allow the judicial process to run its course without interference or emotional blackmail."
The group cautioned against what it described as the growing trend of deploying faceless organisations and sensational media campaigns to pressure law enforcement agencies and influence ongoing legal matters.
"It is unfortunate that instead of allowing the courts to determine the issues before them, certain groups have chosen to inflame public sentiment through emotionally charged statements and threats of protests. Such actions do little to strengthen democracy or promote justice."
Reaffirming its confidence in Governor Otu's leadership, the Cross River Renaissance Group said the Governor continues to enjoy widespread goodwill across the state because of his commitment to responsible governance and institutional reforms.
"The Governor's reputation should not be dragged into matters arising from the personal conduct of any appointee. Accountability is personal, and no individual should seek refuge behind the office of the Governor to evade responsibility for actions that are entirely his own.
"We therefore urge members of the public to remain calm, disregard attempts to politicise the matter and allow the courts and relevant institutions to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation or undue public pressure. Ultimately, the rule of law, not media trials or orchestrated campaigns, remains the surest path to justice."
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