Senior Lawyer Urges Cross River Governor to Follow Legal Advice on Cocoa Estate Dispute

A prominent legal figure, Mba Ukweni (SAN), has called on Cross River Governor Prince Bassey Otu to heed the recommendations of the State Solicitor General regarding the ongoing dispute over the Cocoa Estate in Etung local government area. Ukweni made the appeal during an interview with journalists at the Magistrate Court on Moore Road, Calabar, on Wednesday.

Ukweni emphasized that the Solicitor General had previously alerted the governor to conflicts of interest involving certain individuals related to the estate. "The current Solicitor General has informed the governor that these individuals have interests conflicting with those of the state," Ukweni stated.

His comments come amid the ongoing trial of Mr. Oscar Ofuka, former Special Adviser to former Governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development. Ukweni claimed that Ofuka's trial, which is centered on allegations of murder linked to the Cocoa Estate, was orchestrated by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, and the State Security Adviser, Major General O.U. Obono (Retd).

Ukweni alleged that these officials were attempting to appropriate and sell portions of the estate, including a parcel of land allegedly misrepresented by Prince Mark. He noted that Ofuka had previously alerted the governor to the rightful ownership of the land, supported by a court judgment in favor of the state.

In a recent court appearance, Magistrate Okoho ordered that Ofuka be taken to the Police Clinic in Calabar for medical care due to his deteriorating condition.

Both Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh and Major General Obono have denied any involvement in the case against Oscar Ofuka.

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