Social commentator and businessman, Denis Odama, has regained his freedom after spending several days in custody over allegations linked to comments he made about Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
Odama was released on Thursday after the case against him was withdrawn, bringing an end to his immediate detention at the Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar. Reports said he had spent about seven days in custody.
The development followed Governor Otu’s intervention in the matter.
In a statement, the governor said he had been fully briefed on the case and directed the aides who reported Odama to the police to withdraw their complaint. He also directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to take the necessary steps to discontinue the case.
According to the governor, the complaint was made by some of his aides over what he described as a derogatory statement against him.
Otu, however, said he believes citizens have the constitutional right to express their views, including criticism of government.
That position paved the way for Odama’s release, as the prosecution subsequently withdrew the case before the court. A Calabar Magistrate Court discharged Odama after the prosecution informed the court that the nominal complainant had forgiven him and directed that the proceedings be discontinued.
Odama’s detention had generated public reactions across Cross River, with lawyers, activists and other concerned citizens calling for his release and questioning the use of criminal proceedings over social media criticism.
His lawyer, Festus Ogun, also welcomed the development, saying Odama’s freedom followed sustained advocacy over what he described as arbitrary detention. Ogun said the governor eventually became aware of the circumstances surrounding the detention and directed that Odama be released.
The case has now ended with Odama back in freedom, while Governor Otu has urged Cross Riverians to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and use criticism constructively.
For many observers, the major question is no longer why Odama was arrested, but what could have happened if the governor had not intervened and ordered the withdrawal of the complaint.
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