Groups Demand Gov Otu’s Aide Resignation Over Diamond Bank ₦208m Case
By Our Reporter
Civil society groups, political observers, and concerned stakeholders have called for the resignation of Cross River State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Oden Ewa, following his involvement in a ₦208m Diamond Bank case.
The judgment, delivered by the High Court of Cross River State, Calabar Judicial Division, in Suit No. HC/101/2017, was presided over by Hon. Justice B. T. Ebuta on September 30, 2025.
Court records show that the case, Diamond Bank PLC. v. Internex Ltd. & 4 Ors, had been in litigation since 2017 before Justice Ebuta’s ruling brought it to a close.
The court reportedly found Ewa, a serving commissioner and Internex Limited, culpable in the series of fraudulent transactions that led to the loss of ₦208 million. Oden Ewa is the Managing Director of the Company, Internex Limited.
The judgement has sent shockwaves down the spine of the Cross River political class and supporters of Oden Ewa, who is rumoured to eyeing the Cross River Central Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within government circles confirmed that the court judgment has created unease among top government officials, with some urging the governor to take action to preserve his administration’s image of transparency and accountability.
A source revealed that the Governor is in possession of the judgement and is said to be carefully studying it and may seek legal advise on the matter as it concerns one of his trusted aides.
“This is more than a court judgment; it’s a test of the governor’s moral authority,” a senior government official said anonymously.
“Keeping a convicted official in office sends the wrong message about this government’s integrity even as he has a right to appeal.”
Public affairs analyst, Ubi Arikpo Edet condemned what he described as “an assault on public morality,” insisting that Ewa’s continued stay in office would be indefensible.
“Public office is a sacred trust,” Edet wrote in a widely circulated opinion piece.
“When that trust is broken, the honourable thing to do is resign. Anything short of that is contempt for the people. The people are watching. True leadership is measured not by loyalty to allies, but by loyalty to the truth.”
He urged Governor Otu to demonstrate moral leadership by relieving Ewa of his duties. “If Minister Nnaji could step down over certificate forgery allegations, then Governor Otu must act swiftly to protect the credibility of his administration,” he added.
Some members of Civil society groups and opposition parties, who spoke off record, have also joined the call for Ewa's resignation from the cabinet following the N208m Diamond Bank case, warning that silence or inaction could erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to ethical governance.
According to them, "if the Commissioner refuses to resign, we might be forced to protest and openly demand for his resignation from the cabinet. Nigeria is growing and those leading us must lead by example both in character and public conduct."
