By Ushang Ewa
Reports reaching CrossRiverWatch indicates the immediate past executive chairman of Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, IRS Peter Oti has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
CrossRiverWatch gathered from a source, agents of the EFCC stormed Oti’s residence earlier this morning, arresting him over his role in the alleged mismanagement, misallocation and embezzlement of funds in the Senator Liyel Imoke’s led administration in the state.
Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla, an activist also posted on his Facebook wall thus ” Agents of the dreaded EFCC this morning in Calabar, Cross River State arrested the immediate past Executive Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Peter Oti over his complicity in the massive and mindless looting that took place in the State under the rudderless and corruption ridden regime of Liyel Imoke”.
It will be recalled CrossRiverWatch reported that Oti resigned from his position as Executive Chairman with governor Benedict Ayade accepting his resignation and terminating the contract of a consultant firm DOC-AA which was allegedly receiving 100million Naira monthly and a percentage of the PAYE (Pay As You Earn tax) as fee.
Some sources say Ayade asked him to resign out of respect upon learning these to save face as a sack would have been too humiliating.
As at press time efforts to reach Oti were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile line did not connect with the operator saying each time “The customer you are calling is currently not reachable, please try again later”.
But an aide of the former governorship candidate confirmed to CrossRiverWatch that his boss had been picked up by the anti corruption commission but declined further comment.