Attah Ochinke Declined his Appointment, I am Afraid again —By Abang Ogon

Ogon

Abang Ogon|28 October 2016

First, I meet him three (3) years ago at the Pelegrino Hall in the Government House, I was part of the five men team to represent the students in the Cross River State pre-confab debate presided by Sen. Liyel Imoke; Agweye Philomena, Omini Iwara and Agida Lawrence were also part of that team. Besides me was a perfect gentleman focus and steady I didn't know who he was until Senator Imoke called him to throw more light to the Bakasi issue, his assertion were very apt, at that time when any thing that came from GEJ was perfect before Imoke's fearless Ochinke publicly criticised that GEJ was handling the Bakassi issue with kid gloves, it was indeed impressive.

After his briefing he came back to his seat, I was fast to initiate a conversation with him, then we got talking, for all I asked he took time to explain, I later  realised he was the chief law officer of my state, down to earth and very resourceful he was, after the banquet I walked him off and he left.

The next I heard of him was an intention to represent his people at the Green Chambers, I had ticked him good to go considering his mutual and smooth relationship with Sen Imoke the then alpha and omega, the giver of tickets, how things unfolded and Chris Agibe took the day is a story for another day, the next about Ochinke was his powerful lobby for the position of the Secretary to the State Government, Ochinke has since rendered himself ready and willing to render services to his dear state which of course is his trademark.

What suddenly changed is why I am missing it all up, the Ochinke I know is a workaholic and a goal getter something is indeed wrong somewhere. Since the tales of Ben Ayade versus Joe Agi and the 9th December saga started rocking our space I have never given it a thought neither have I lost an atom of my sleep, to me it was but one of those many litigations, ain't lawyers no longer in charge of interpreting the law? I have  giggled a laughter when ever the matter was brought to bear in any public discus.

But for yesterday I missed an hour of my sleep, when I read ochinke's declination of his call to service, lost in thought, U asked: could Attah be protesting a shoe too small for him to wear hence he tactically rejects and abscond to avoid the backward movement scenario? Or has Ochinke seen 9th December?

The Attah I know is a workaholic with starling qualities and capacities he has ability to make a mountain out of a mould hill he was Commissioner for Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2003, he made the place very lucrative and created an enabling environment for Gerald Ada who became the icing on the cake, he was Attorney General from 2010 to 2015 he changed a lot, that Ochinke who was at one point lobbying for appointment from Ayade has finally declined a call to serve is sending fears down my spins. Could it be that Ochinke who is indeed a seasoned lawyer understands the magnanimity of the Joe vs Ayade case? If this came up before our interaction three(3) year ago this could possibly be one of my questions to him but since only time will tell, am still afraid.

Abang Ogon
Is a Social Commentator