Young Cross River Man Who Criticised Governor Otu Remanded in Prison

A young Cross River State man, Denis Odama, has been remanded in prison by a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting along Moore Road, Calabar, following a petition alleging that he bullied Governor Bassey Otu on social media.

Magistrate Mercy Ene ordered Odama’s remand after hearing arguments from the prosecution, represented by F. Okoi, Esq., and the defence counsel, K. Omang, Esq.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Cross River Car Dealer in Lagos, Says He ‘Bullied’ Governor Otu on Social Media

The court relied on the discretionary powers conferred on it under the Cross River State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2016 to remand the defendant.

The matter was thereafter adjourned until August 19, 2026, for further proceedings.

Odama, a native of Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, is reportedly pursuing a doctorate degree at a university in Lagos.

News Week Nigeria had earlier reported that Odama was arrested on Sunday, although details surrounding the circumstances of his arrest were initially unclear.

His kinsman and fellow businessman, Tom Alims, later raised the alarm over the arrest in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

According to Alims, the Divisional Police Officer of the FESTAC Police Division in Lagos informed people at the station that Odama was being arrested for allegedly “bullying the Governor of Cross River State, HE, Prince Bassey Edet Otu on Social Media.”

Odama is known for using social media to satirically criticise governance and developments in his home state.

Last weekend, he shared a screenshot of a post he originally made in August 2024, in which he criticised the continued failure to restore electricity in Bekwarra despite an alleged directive by Governor Otu.

“Two years after Governor Bassey Otu ordered the restoration of electricity in Bekwarra, Bekwarra still wallows in darkness with no electricity in sight,” Odama wrote.

He also alleged that the governor had given money to some of his associates in Bekwarra under the guise of awarding contracts.

Reacting to the arrest, Alims claimed there were indications that Governor Otu might not have been aware of the development.

“From different quarters, we’re told His Excellency is not aware of this arrest,” he stated.

CrossRiverWatch also reported that two policemen said to be from the Cross River State Police Command arrived at the FESTAC Division to take Odama to Cross River State.

The development reportedly caused concern among his friends and colleagues who were present at the station.

According to the report, Odama was expected to sit for an examination on Tuesday but could not do so because of his arrest.

Jonathan Ugbal, Deputy National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, described the incident as an “abduction” and called for Odama’s immediate release.

“This is clearly an abduction and nothing more! There is no actual reason stated yet by the Police and it has been 48 hours,” Ugbal said.

He alleged that the police could be seeking a court order to detain Odama, describing the development as what he considered a pattern of using law enforcement agencies to intimidate critics.

“It is unfortunate that despite the law clearly stating that investigation must precede arrests, we still find the Police being used as a tool for oppressive acts,” he added.

Meanwhile, Alims disclosed on Tuesday night that the two policemen returned to the FESTAC Division to facilitate Odama’s transfer from Lagos to Cross River State.

He said friends and colleagues resisted the move, prompting the DPO to ask the policemen to return on Wednesday morning.

Odama was subsequently brought before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Calabar, where the court ordered his remand.

The case has been adjourned until August 19, 2026, for further proceedings.