Embezzlement scandal: Labour Party Chairman in Cross River suspended indefinitely

The Cross River State Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Ogar Osim, has been suspended from office over allegations of embezzlement and anti-party activities.

Osim, who is also accused of failing to maintain a State secretariat and other sundry issues, was suspended alongside the State Secretary, Mr. Felix Etim, on Tuesday.

Their suspension was announced in a press statement by the Chairman and Secretary of the State Disciplinary Committee, Bonnie Adie and Ibiang Igri, respectively. The statement also announced the appointment of an acting Chairman and Secretary.

According to the statement, Eugene Obia and Allen Ekpe are to remain in acting capacity pending when a congress will be held to elect a substantive Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The decision to relieve them of the positions was taken following a thorough investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, inability to maintain a state secretariat, embezzlement, and other serious issues.

“We are confident that Mr Obia and Mr Ekpe that have been appointed in acting capacities will provide strong leadership and ensure the smooth functioning of the Labour Party in the State.

“We urge all members to cooperate with the new leadership and work together to achieve the arty’s goals,” it stated.

Those who signed the purported suspension letter are not even known to Labour party.

When contacted, the Labour Party, (LP) Chairman, Com Ogar Osim described his suspension as laughable adding that those who signed his purported suspension letter were unknown to the Party and were mere impostors.

His words: Those persons who signed the purported suspension letter are impostors and I will describe them as stranger elements, because their names are not in any of our registers, from ward level to chapter and state, we don’t know them.

“Even if there was anything like a disciplinary committee as they claimed, their letter should have been signed by the legal adviser.

“As a matter of fact, we are taking them to court, even if such committee exists, they can only make recommendations, they don’t have powers to suspend,” Ogar said.