C’River Assembly Clears Member Of N1.6bn Fraud Allegations

The Cross River State House of Assembly, has exonerated its former chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee, Hon. Cyril Omini of allegations, involving N1.6 billion reportedly received from Eketeson Resources International Limited.

Omini who is the member representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency, was cleared after the end of investigation by the Assembly, which found no evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
The Assembly ruled that the claims were baseless and without evidence, and therefore dismissed the allegations.

The special committee set up to investigate the allegations found no evidence to substantiate the claims against Omini.

Presenting the report at plenary, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, Deputy Speaker and chairman of the committee, said after a thorough investigation, the panel found no evidence to support the allegation, describing it as “untrue, unfounded, and baseless.

According to the report, the committee invited and took testimonies from all parties involved including Omini, Donald Ekete, Managing Director of Eketeson Resources International Limited, Hon. Pius Ankpo, Commissioner for Works, Michael Odere, Commissioner for Finance, Dr Glory Effiong, Accountant -General of the state and Ralph Adoga, Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation.

The committee averred that all payments to the contractor were made directly by the Office of the Accountant-General to Eketeson Resources International Limited through the Ministry of Works, following due process and milestone certifications.

Therefore, the House resolved to absolve Hon. Omini of any financial involvement with Eketeson Resources International Limited.

In his reaction, the lawmaker lauded the speaker and members of the committee for the investigation, which proved his innocence.