By Jonathan Ugbal
Governor Benedict Ayade on Wednesday appointed 90 aides including an ex aide, Edet Okon Asim whom his immediate past Attorney General okayed for trial for alleged sexual offenses.
A statement signed by his spokesman, Christian Ita and issued in Calabar listed 90 Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers. This is in sharp contrast to his promise in April 2019 where he said, in a statement issued by Ita that he ”will run a smaller and tighter cabinet in his second term in office in order to engender a more focused administration for better service delivery.”
Mr. Asim was arrested alongside others for allegedly raping a teenager for three years. And, the immediate past Attorney General, Joe Abang told CrossRiverWatch nine months ago that he will be prosecuted.
Two months later, the prosecutor assigned to the case, Ekaya Odibu was evasive when CrossRiverWatch reached him for comments on when the charges will be filed.
Till date, nothing has been heard of the prosecution of Asim, who is a former Chairman of Calabar Municipal and had served as Special Adviser on Biodiversity to Mr. Ayade until the expiry of his first term in office.
Also, Governor Ayade appointed Simply Benjamin also known as ‘G1’; an ex militant who, alongside his colleagues in the Bakassi Strike Force were granted amnesty by the State in December 2018.
The statement with the reference number, “GO/PRESS/012/VOL.I/ 136” did not state if the appointments were with immediate effect as has been the case with the Ayade’s administration.
Below is the list of appointees.
1. Chief Peter Abang Ojie: Snr. Special Adviser – Political Matters
2. Hon. John Eyikwaje: Special Adviser – Asset Management
3. Anthony Gabriel Ewa Obi: Special Adviser – Assets Recovery
4. Arc. Eric William Akpo: Snr. Special Adviser – Technical & Maritime Operations
5. Hon. Orok Duke: Special Adviser – Callywood
6. Hon. Agbiji Mbeh Agbiji: Special Adviser – Power
7. Hon. Mark Obi Special Adviser – SDGs
8. Mrs. Ekama Awara: Special Adviser – Women Affairs
9. Barr. Mkpang Obeten Ewa: Special Adviser – Environment
10. Barr. Musa Maigoro: Special Adviser – Non Indigent Affairs
11. Ntufam Edet Okon Asim: Special Adviser – Forestry & Biodiversity
12. Maurice Ekong: Special Adviser – Gas Development
13. Barr. Essi Christian: Special Adviser – Local Contents
14. Amina Arong: Special Adviser – Presidency/NASS
15. Dr. Matthew Okeyim: Special Adviser – Diaspora
16. Dr. Mathias Angioha: Snr. Special Adviser – Domestic
17. Torita Odey: Special Adviser – Events (OWOG)
18. Hon. Edward Etta Ogon: Special Adviser – Mortgage Finance
19. Liyel Etorti: Special Adviser – Logistics
20. Rev. Fr. Eworo: Special Adviser – Religious Matters (North)
21. Rev. Fr. Malachy Ephraim: Special Adviser – Religious Matters (South)
22. Mr. Boniface Ishamali: Special Adviser – Petroleum Upstream
23. Eddie Archie: Special Adviser – Special duties
24. Ugbong Godwin U: Special Adviser – Constructions
25. Engr. Thomas Aruku: Special Adviser –Project Monitoring /Evaluation
26. Dr. Sylvia Atsu: Special Adviser – Public Orientations
27. Friday Aruku Odey: Special Adviser – Projects (North)
28. Abana Joe Ayade: Special Adviser –Rural Transformation
29. Adiga Ifop Adoga: Special Adviser – Chieftaincy Affairs
30. Ajah Francis Ajah: Special Adviser – Debt Management
31. Eja Dons Esege: Special Adviser – Audit
32. Rev. Fr. Bob Etta: Snr. Special Adviser Religious Matters
33. Prince Augustine Ayuk Special Adviser – Commerce
34. Mrs. Philomena Inyang: Special Adviser – Admin (Office of the Wife of the Governor)
35. Rev. Victor Edet: Special Adviser – Int’l Cooperation/Investments
36. Nsa Ekpenyong: Special Adviser – Foreign Affairs
37. Prince Fidelis Ita: Special Adviser – Community Affairs
38. Augustine Oqua: Special Adviser – Religious Matters
39. Manuel Chris Ogar: Special Adviser – Internal Revenue Service
40. Mr. Clement Oshaka: Special Adviser – Lands
41. Hon. Bette Obi: Special Adviser – Afforestation
42. Hon. Abubakar Ewa: Special Adviser – Social Housing
43. Bong Duke: Special Adviser – E-Commerce
44. Prof. Tony Eyang: Special Adviser – Culture & Ethics
45. Prof. John Shiyam: Special Adviser – Agric Research & Developement.
46. Emily Maduike: Special Adviser – Brand Market and Network
47. Elder Offiong Eyo Ekpe: Special Adviser – Resource Management
48. Prof. Ogogo Augustine: Special Adviser – Climate Change
49. Victor Ekpo: Special Adviser – Water Board
50. Bassey Uso: Special Adviser – Community Relations
51. Mrs. Etta Daniel Takon: Special Adviser – Humanities
52. Hon. Ekpenyong Okpo Ojar: Special Adviser – TCTC
53. Barr. Agatha-Christie Akpo-Adamade: Special Adviser – Inter-Government (Abuja Liaison)
54. Simply Benjamin Ene: Special Adviser – Marine Security
55. Martina Azom Ayang: Special Adviser – Logistics
56. Eyo-Nsa Etim Eyo: Special Adviser – Training & Doctrine
57. Mrs. Lucie Abuh: Special Adviser –Performance Evaluation
58. Elizabeth Adede: Special Adviser – Job Placement
59. Barr. Comfort Ogbue: Special Adviser – Research
60. Dr. DC Enamhe: Special Adviser – New Media
61. Hon. Victor Omaga Odo: Special Adviser – Works
62. Egbung Odama Egbung: Special Adviser – Local Govt. Affairs
63. Mr. Bassey Bassey Nton: Special Adviser – Power
64. Dr. David Edem, Ushie: Special Adviser – Health
65. Chris Ogaidang: Special Adviser – Industry
66. Hon. Peter Okaba: Special Adviser – Political (Office of COS)
67. Hon. Okpachui Orim: Special Adviser – Networking (Office of COS)
68. Samuel Utsu Atsu: Snr. Special Adviser – Treasury/Audit
69. Prince Godswill Osim Edward: Special Adviser – Sports and Cinematography
70. Arc. John Etim Bassey: Special Adviser – Palm Estates
71. Sir John Odo: Director General – CRGIA
72. Ekip I. Ogar: Special Adviser – Robotics & Artificial Intelligence
73. Dr. Fidelis Obo: Special Adviser – Solid Minerals
74. Barr. Maxwell Egba: Special Adviser – Justice
75. Mr. Ubi Ekapong Ofem: Special Adviser -Tourism
76. Mrs. Janet Emma Atep: Special Adviser – SUBEB
77. Sunday Michael: Special Adviser – Inter-Party- National
78. Evelyn Ogeyi Steve-Ogar: Special Adviser – Banking Reconciliation
79. Dr. Emmanuel Duke: Special Adviser – Infrastructure
80. Ntufam Joe Ndifon: Special Adviser – Culture
81. Barr. Collins Ogbaji Erim: Special Adviser – Public Affairs
82. Ekpe A. Obio: Special Adviser – Utilities
83. Victor Felix Edem: Special Adviser – Local Governments
84. Boniface Okachie: Special Adviser – Urban Renewal
85. Theresa Izama: Special Adviser – Rice Projects
86. Ted Inyang: Special Adviser – Planning Commission
87. Eyo Ita Okon: Special Adviser – Public Affairs
88. Ndem Edet Nyong: Special Adviser – Calabar City Beautifications
89. Dr. Joe Edet: Special adviser – Strategic Policy
90. Mr. Peter Francis: Special Adviser – Grants & Empowerment