The controversy surrounding an alleged ₦13 million payment to Cross River social commentator, Assam Michael Okongor, popularly known as MC Okrika, has taken another turn, with his lawyer, T.O. Teke, Esq. of T.O. Teke Law Office & Co., offering a clarification on what transpired.
In a statement titled “Alleged N13,000,000 Payment by Hon. Oden Ewa to Mr. MC Okrika – The Facts,” Teke said no money was handed over to his client by Hon. Oden Ewa in connection with the solar-powered borehole water project being discussed.
According to the lawyer, MC Okrika had approached the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly to seek support for a solar-powered borehole water project for pupils of the primary school opposite the Ikom Police Division.
Teke said the Speaker responded positively and directed that his friend, Hon. Oden Ewa, would assist with the project.
The lawyer explained that Ewa subsequently executed the project at his own cost through engineers engaged by him and eventually handed over the completed borehole for the benefit of the school and the surrounding community.
“No sum of money was handed to Mr. MC Okrika by Hon. Oden Ewa,” Teke stated, adding that the funds for the project were expended directly by Ewa.
The clarification follows the circulation of a video on social media in which questions were raised concerning the alleged ₦13 million payment.
Reacting to the video, Teke described the question posed to his client as misleading, arguing that MC Okrika, having allegedly only solicited support for the project, could not reasonably be expected to account for money he did not receive.
The lawyer said it was “illogical and unfair” to demand an account from a person who only solicited support while the individual who funded and executed the project allegedly dealt directly with the engineers involved.
Teke further challenged anyone alleging that ₦13 million in cash was paid to MC Okrika to produce verifiable evidence of such payment, including bank evidence, receipts or an acknowledgment.
The lawyer also expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly and Hon. Oden Ewa for their intervention in providing water for the school and community.
The statement was signed by T.O. Teke, Esq., Notary Public, of T.O. Teke Law Office & Co., counsel to MC Okrika.
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