By Archibong Jeremiah
Over two months after the former Cross River State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Joe Abang, okayed the trial of Chief Edet Okon Asim (former Chairman of Calabar Municipal and Ayade’s Adviser on Biodiversity) over allegations of raping an underage girl (name withheld), the matter is yet to be filed in court.
The Prosecutor assigned from the state Ministry of Justice to file the processes, Barrister Ekaya Odibu, when contacted on the phone, did not give any reason for the delay in filing the matter. He simply requested to see the reporter.
“Currently, I’m in a workshop, find time and let’s see next week.”
After agreeing to see next week, he was asked for emphasis if the trial will be soon and he said “yes, hopefully.”
According to him, CrossRiverWatch should remind him over the weekend so that a date and time can be taken for the appointment.
CrossRiverWatch has gathered that, since the immediate past Attorney General okayed his trial, Mr. Edet Okon Asim has been mobilizing family members and prominent Efik sons and daughters to prevail on the powers that be in the state to enable him evade prosecution.
A source in the Ministry of Justice informed our reporter that, “Edet is begging and delaying his trial and waiting for the appointment of a new AG in the hope that the decision to prosecute him may be rescinded by the new AG. So many people from his immediate community in Calabar Municipality have been calling and reaching out to appeal while some are actually threatening violence, if Edet is brought to trial. But he won’t escape it.”
CrossRiverWatch is monitoring the situation and will report our findings.