CRS: “You Have no Powers to Sack Us”, Auditors-General Tell Gov. Otu

By Stanley Ekpenyong, South-South Bureau Chief

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, appears headed for a collision course with two officials of his immediate predecessor who he sacked early this week.

They are the State Auditor-General, John Odey, and his Local Government counterpart, Mrs Franka Inok.

Both former officials who were appointed by the immediate past governor of the State, Professor Ben Ayade, were sacked on Monday by Governor Otu and asked to retire from the State’s Civil Service.

They have, however, faulted their sack, arguing that the Governor has no constitutional powers to do so.

Odey and Inok made this known on Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Cross River State Civil Service Commission, Oko Inaku.

In the letter, they vowed to remain in service until their formal retirement age of sixty years or mandatory thirty-five years from service.

In the letter titled: “Re – Notice to vacate Office”, with reference number CRS/AGLG/81/Vol 11/565 the officials stated thus: “We wish to bring to your notice sections 127 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 42 of the Cross River State Audit Law number 2021 as amended regarding the removal from office of the Auditor General”

Meanwhile, Odey and Inok have both disregarded the Governor’s directives as they still report for duties in their offices.