In a tense legal confrontation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mba Ukweni has accused Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, of using state security apparatus to target his client, Dr. Oscar Ofuka. Ukweni claims the alleged conspiracy revolves around a dispute over a large cocoa estate in Etung, Cross River State NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
According to Ukweni, the current administration, specifically Owan-Enoh and the State Security Adviser, Major General O. U. Obono, are seeking to eliminate Dr. Ofuka in a bid to appropriate the cocoa farm. Ukweni detailed the alleged plot during an interview at the Calabar Magistrate Court, where Ofuka is facing charges.
“There is a procedure in the administration of criminal justice that permits a magistrate to remand suspects in custody for a limited period. What is happening is beyond that—it is an orchestrated plan to eliminate my client,” Ukweni stated.
He further elaborated on the history of the cocoa farm dispute, noting that Dr. Ofuka had made significant contributions to the sector during his tenure as Special Adviser to former Governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development and Control. “When Dr. Ofuka took office, he paid the royalties and rents to the landlord communities, ensuring peace and progress in the cocoa sector. Now, certain individuals in the government want to claim credit for that and take over the estate,” Ukweni added.
Ukweni also alleged that the agreements made with tenants on the cocoa estate were facilitated through the Attorney General’s office during Ayade’s administration. He accused the current government of attempting to annul those agreements without refunding the tenants, a move he described as fraudulent.
“They now want to use brutal methods. The government knows the persons responsible for the murder in the state but is instead charging Ofuka for forgery of agreements that were prepared in the Attorney General’s office,” Ukweni asserted.
In a phone conversation, Professor Owan-Enoh strongly denied any involvement in the matter. “I was completely out with the governor, and everybody will be a witness. I have nothing to do with any security agent, whether police, AIG, or the state security adviser. Why should this be pinned on me?” Owan-Enoh questioned.
He added, “I have no dealings on that matter, directly or indirectly. I’ve been in public office long enough to understand the implications of such accusations. I am not involved in any way.”
The legal battle continues as Dr. Ofuka remains hospitalized, allegedly due to torture while in custody. Ukweni has appealed for his client’s release on bail to receive medical treatment, asserting that the ongoing actions against him are part of a larger plot to seize the cocoa estate.
