Boki Palm Estate Crisis: Activist Raps Gov Ayade’s Security Adviser
BY ETTA MICHAEL BISONG, ABUJA – A human right activist, Dr Joseph Odok has faulted the inclusion of Security Adviser to Cross River State government, Mr Jude Ngaji, as a member of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the Borum Oil Palm Estate crisis in Boki Local government area.
The recent crisis had led to unwarranted lost of lives and property with several people injured and fleeing their traumatized communities in fear.
A circular issued on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, has listed Mr Ngaji as part of the six member team chaired by Justice M Eneji.
Other Commission’s members are Justice Edem Ekefre, former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Attah Ochinke; Pastor Sam Inyang and Dr Mercy Akpama.
However, Dr Odok said the State Security Adviser (SSA)’s inclusion has raised serious questions about the integrity of such high level and sensitive Commission to effectively carry out its responsibilities and deliver on its mandate.
The human rights lawyer in a statement released shortly after the names were made public, expressed concern over the SSA’s personality and urged the governor to immediately replace him with someone with pedigree and unquestionable character.
“The distrust around Mr Ngaji is also not unconnected with perceived compromise and refusal to act in some critical moments in the days of Boki crisis, especially when his services were mostly needed”, Dr Odok said.
He said Ngaji’s lack of security experience and ineptitude is apparent in the poor management and escalation of the feud, which has empowered a certain group over others to unleash mayhem on innocent and law abiding citizens within the communities.
“Most times, he basically refused to intervene. He allowed our people to die, or allowed a particular group of miscreants kill our people”, he lamented.
Odok said instead of having the SSA as a member of the Commission, Governor Ayade should expand his horizon in search for a more competent security expert who will assist in proffering solutions to the ongoing chaos in Boki local government area.
Meanwhile, the statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman further said the current management committee of the contentious oil palm estate has been dissolved.
It also added that the Nigerian Army has taken-over full control of the oil palm estate to douse the renewed hostility as well as restore law and order in the affected communities.
