N5m Scandal: Ex PDP Chairman Accuses Deputy Gov Candidate Eba Of Embezzlement

By Missang AKPET 

Former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State, Ntufam Edim Inok Edim has accused the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) deputy governorship candidate Alphonsus Ogar Eba, of embezzling N5 million meant to assist him in a court case.

Edim, who was also a former House of Representatives aspirant, made the allegation during an event in Calabar at the weekend.

According to him, after he lostthe elections in 2023, he had to challenge the victory of the Labour Party's candidate Hon. Bassey Akiba in court to reclaim his mandate.

He said while pursuing the court matter up to the Court of Appeal, the state gave him a little assistance of N5 million, but the money was allegedly diverted by the then APC party chairman Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba.

"When I had a court case, I went to appeal court. The little sum of money the state gave me, to assist me at the court of appeal, N5,000,000. Alphonsus Eba embezzled the money. I reported the matter to the party but the party did not do anything".

"But today, somebody told me that he wants to contest election As deputy governor. I don't know where he wants to contest whether it's here in Calabar where I come from. Let him come and contest after stealing my 5 million Naira.

The former aspirant vowed to continue to call out Eba over the matter until the money is refunded.

Meanwhile, the former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC and now Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Cross River State, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, has described the allegations by Edim Inok as false and stupid.

Responding via a telephone call with THE BEAGLE NEWS, Eba dismissed the allegation stating that Inok was suffering from frustration and poverty.

"Just to let you know there is never anything like that, it's false. It is the most stupid thing ever exhibited by an adult".

"Who gave the money? Through which accounts? To what accounts? He said, state government. Which state government? I served under two governors, Ayade and then Otu's government before I left.

"So who is the person that cannot give him a N5 million directly and has to pass through me? He's the biggest fool for anybody to ever think that and believe it," he said.

Eba also linked the outburst to politics, claiming Edim Inok has been attacking Governor Bassey Otu.

"What I can tell you for free is that I know how he's been insulting Otu up and down but I am just too good for that.

"If Otu has hired him for that kind of dirty job, tell him he has failed on arrival. I'm not as cheap as he is," he added.

He further recalled his role in Edim's political career while challenging him that he is running on the same ticket with Arthur Jarvis as his Deputy Governor and will win him (Edim) in his polling unit and ward.

"He said he is here to see me run election, a man who I recommended and he got House of Reps ticket in the APC in 2023 and went to sleep and lost the election. An election that he lost woefully in his ward, and I said, don't waste your time in going to tribunal because you have really failed".

"After losing in his local government, he was telling me that it was Otu that told the Efik people to work against him," Eba stated.

The former APC chairman dared Edim Inok to provide evidence that that N5 million was given to him, prove the person that gave the N5 million and he will give him N50 million instantly describing him as a cheap liar.