BY: VITALIS UGOH Calabar
Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education SUBEB, Dr. Stephen Odey has debunked allegations of fraud/forgery levelled against him by an Online publication.
It alleged that Odey was involved in shoddy deals during the period he worked as a staff of Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC) now NIMASA.
Odey refuted the allegations while fielding questions from journalists Monday in Calabar.
He stressed that the allegations by the Online news publication were based on falsehood stressing that it is the handiwork of certain individuals who were bent on dragging his good image which he had worked assiduously over the years to the mud.
Odey stated that he was accused sometimes ago of stealing some amount of money which belong to one chief Akpan Williams Essien.
In the course of his employment when he was working for JOMALIC agency now NIMASA stressing that the allegation followed a query, suspension and subsequent dismissal even when he denied involvement in the allegation when he was summoned before a disciplinary committee set by JOMALIC agency in July 2006.
Odey was subsequently charged before a Calabar Magistrate court where he was tried and found not wanting in a charge No. MC/28C/ 2007 headed by Chief Magistrate A.O.A Oyebueke Mrs. and was the court discharged and acquitted him.His lawyers wrote to the agency for his reinstatement but to no avail. Due to the frustration he faced at that time,
Odey headed for the Federal High Court to seek redress and and the court presided over by Hon. Justice A. F. Ademola gave him fair judgement in 2008.
Odey averred that the federal High court even asked his employers to pay all his emoluments with all his rights and privileges restored for unlawful dismissal and wondered why anyone would brand him as criminal!.
He stressed that it is ridiculous for any one to bring up a matter which he was absolved of criminal liability, discharged and acquitted by both the Magistrate and the federal High Courts more than a decade ago, just because he indicated interest to vie for the northern senatorial seat.
Odey who is also a People’s Democratic Party, PDP aspirant for Cross River Northern Senatorial District by-elections,which will hold this year stated that he was even paid damages by his detractors.
According to a certified true copy of the court ruling/judgment from suit No.MC/28C/2007 between commissioner of police vs Stephen Odey signed by Chief Magistrate Grade 1, A.O. Oyebueke (Esq) Mrs. and Assistant Chief Registrar, Francis Inameti, on February 2, 2007 state that Odey stated that Odey had no case to answer.
“After hearing Sam Eboh Esq for the accused persons and Udo Akpan Sqt.for the prosecution, PW1(IPO) testified on oath and defense counsel made his address in which accused has no case to answer on that note the court should dismiss the matter.
A clause in the certified true copy of the Judgment said,” It is hereby ordered that the accused had no case to answer in this matter and the case is hereby dismissed and accused discharged , the judgment/ ruling said.”.