has called for the withdrawal of charges bordering on terrorism against Mr. Joseph Odok, a legal practitioner , allegedly based on crisscrossing the Cross Rivers State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.
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| Adesina Ogunlana |
It would be recalled that according to media reports, Mr.
Joseph Odok, a Nigerian lawyer and a well-known critic of the governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, has been charged with terrorism.
Mr Odok could be sentenced to death if found guilty.
The lawyer was brought before the Federal High Court, Calabar, on Tuesday, 27th October, 2019 by the police in Cross River after spending several days in detention.
He is also charged with cybercrime for allegedly accusing the chief of staff to Mr Ayade of being a cultist.
He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
Justice Simon Amobeda ordered that Mr Odok be remanded in Calabar prison pending when his bail application would be heard on October 29.
Mr. Ogunlana expressed reservation at the posture of clampdown on civil liberties by the Governor of Cross Rivers' State, Ben Ayade. It would be recalled that with the case of Joseph Odok, the cases of persons charged with offences bordering on opposition to the Cross Rivers' State Governor has become two as Agba Jalingo is still in prison custody. He called for the immediate withdrawal of charges against the two citizens.
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| Gov. Ben Ayade |
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| Joseph Odok |
Mr. Ogunlana expressed the fact that the refusal, neglect and failure of the Cross Rivers State Governor to desist from attacking civil liberties will leave the Citizens' Rally against Oppression in conjunction with other civil society groups no option but to kick start mass actions against the descent to dictatorship and tyranny in Cross Rivers State.
He also restated his Radical Agenda for the Nigerian Bar Association to reposition the Association as a vanguard of the social justice movement that can lead resistance against wanton violations of fundamental rights.
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