By Abasi Ita
South South Bureau Chief
A growing chorus of civil society groups, political observers, and concerned stakeholders has called for the resignation of Cross River State Commissioner for Special Duty and Intergovernmental Affairs, Oden Ewa, following his conviction in a ₦208 million Diamond Bank fraud case.
The judgment, delivered by the High Court of Cross River State, Calabar Judicial Division, in Suit No. HC/101/2017, was presided over by Hon. Justice B. T. Ebuta on September 30, 2025.
Court records show that the case, Diamond Bank PLC. v. Internez Ltd. & 4 Ors, had been in litigation since 2017 before Justice Ebuta’s ruling brought it to a close. The court reportedly found Ewa, a serving commissioner and close political ally of Governor Bassey Otu, culpable in the series of fraudulent transactions that led to the loss of ₦208 million.
The conviction has sent shockwaves through the Cross River political establishment, particularly within Governor Otu’s camp, where Ewa has been widely regarded as the governor’s preferred choice for the Cross River Central Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within government circles confirmed that the verdict has created unease among top officials, with some urging the governor to take decisive action to preserve his administration’s image of transparency and accountability.
“This is more than a court judgment — it’s a test of the governor’s moral authority,” a senior government official said anonymously. “Keeping a convicted official in office sends the wrong message about this government’s integrity.”
Public affairs analyst Dr. Ubi Arikpo Edet condemned what he described as “an assault on public morality,” insisting that Ewa’s continued stay in office would be indefensible.
“Public office is a sacred trust,” Dr. Edet wrote in a widely circulated opinion piece. “When that trust is broken, the honourable thing to do is resign. Anything short of that is contempt for the people.”
He urged Governor Otu to demonstrate moral leadership by relieving Ewa of his duties. “If Minister Nnaji could step down over certificate forgery allegations, then Governor Otu must act swiftly to protect the credibility of his administration,” he added.
Civil society groups and opposition parties have also joined the call, warning that silence or inaction could erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to ethical governance.
“The people are watching,” Dr. Edet warned. “True leadership is measured not by loyalty to allies, but by loyalty to the truth.”
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Governor Otu was subtly positioning Oden Ewa as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Cross River Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 polls.
Sources revealed that Ewa had enjoyed exceptional privileges within the administration, particularly in the execution of high-value projects, including those traditionally overseen by other ministries.
A notable example is the controversial procurement of two aircraft under a secretive lease arrangement — a deal reportedly concluded without the full involvement of the Commissioner for Aviation, Captain Eno Inah (rtd.), who was said to have initiated preliminary memos and conducted market surveys before being sidelined.
The governor’s media team has also been accused of orchestrating a subtle campaign to project Ewa as the most viable senatorial candidate, while drawing unflattering comparisons between incumbent Senator Eteng Jonas Williams and his counterparts from the North and South.
As pressure mounts, observers say Governor Otu now faces a defining leadership test: whether to shield a loyal ally or uphold the integrity of his administration.