By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Human rights activist, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, has charged the leadership of the Cross River State House of Assembly, CRHA, to defend itself from the allegation by one of Nigeria’s online news media of January 3, 2025, that the Assembly has plans to misappropriate N31.5 million for procurement of two air-conditioners, four fans, water dispensers, as well as construction of a mace for the sum of N15 million in 2025, notwithstanding the economic hardship faced by common people.
Obla gave the charge in an interactive session with CompassNG, while drawing the state House of Assembly’s attention to the online news outfit allegation on Saturday in Calabar.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain stated that the allegations, which suggested a concerning misuse of state funds during a challenging economic period will place a heavy burden on the common people in the state.
Obono-Obla, a former head of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property, SPIP, appointed by the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari said, “It is crucial for the Cross River State House of Assembly to promptly address these allegations and provide a clear response. “Failure to do so may imply validity to the accusations.”
Obono-Obla averred that the state Assembly has the constitutional right to enact laws and oversee the executive branch of government and its agencies, including exposing corruption, and inefficiency among others.
Obono-Obla further stated that the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, in Section 128(2b) stipulates that the House of Assembly has the mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.
He added, “Therefore, it is concerning that an institution like the anti-corruption agency of the Cross River State House of Assembly calibre, tasked with upholding financial integrity, could be implicated in any activity that raise doubts about its own integrity.
“The Sahara Reporters online edition of January 3, 2025, has leveled severe allegations of extraordinary budgetary inflation against the state Assembly in the 2025 budget proposal.”
Effort to get the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, to react to the issue failed as text messages sent to him and his WhatsApp number could not yield any response, as the Speaker failed to pick his calls or replied the text messages.
