Civil society group cautions CRHA for summoning content creator over assumed N6.8m monthly pay

The recent summon of a Social Media content creator, Ejim John Ogbeche over a viral social media video by the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) has drawn the wrath of the civil society group.

The House had summoned Ogbeche to appear before it and explain his allegation that Hon. Omang C. Omang representing Bekwara and other Cross River lawmakers earn N6.8 million monthly.

CRHA in a release on Wednesday, May 28 by the Information Officer Itam Offor, adopted the resolution following its consideration of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance presented by Hon Omang who disclosed that the said allegation was contained in a viral video published by Ogbeche from his constituent.

“On the 23rd of May 2025, l woke up to a false and malicious video publication made by one Ejim John Ogbeche whose Facebook name is Ejim Johnny Agogo, a native of Ukpah (my village). The false and malicious video publication alleged that l, as a Member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, earn the sum of #6,800,000.00 as my monthly salary excluding constituency allowances and sitting allowances.” Omang stated.

In addition, the lawmaker said, “the false and malicious video publication is misleading and an attempt to pitch my constituents and the general public against me and the Cross River State House of Assembly”.

He further averred that by the publication; the reputation of the lawmakers has been lowered in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public.

And contributing to the discourse, the lawmakers unanimously condemned the video as “outright falsehood” and an attempt to tarnish the image of the House of Assembly and its Members.

They stressed the need to put the records straight noting that, they neither collect constituency nor sitting allowances while their salaries, which are not anywhere close to the alleged amount, were fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

They agreed that the author of the publication be summoned to offer explanation as to where he got his information, adding that this will serve as a deterrent to Social Media users who peddle falsehoods to instigate unsuspecting and gullible members of the public.

The Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem described the video as defamatory and capable of inciting members of the public against the legislators, saying that despite the inflation and the general economic hardship, lawmakers’ salaries, as fixed by RMARF, have not been increased.

However, a social critic, activist and Coordinator of a civil society group, Rabbit Punch, Comrade Ogar Emmanuel Oko in a statement made available to an online publication, condemned the action of the House to summon Agogo based on Omang complain.

He is summoned to clarify the veracity of his allegation that members of the Assembly take home more than ₦6 million monthly.

Oko said, “Hon. Omang is a legal practitioner, and a few of his colleagues are lawyers. They should know better that Agogo’s statement does not constitute defamation. Even if it does, it would be ultra vires for the House to act on it, as this would amount to usurping the role of a court of competent jurisdiction in adjudicating a matter in which they are directly involved. This is against the principles of natural justice.

“According to the legal maxim nemo judex in causa sua— meaning no one should be a judge in their own cause, the Assembly should seek legal redress through appropriate judicial channels, rather than summoning a private citizen. Defamation is a civil matter. It is outside the precinct of the legislature to entertain it. The duty of the legislature is the enactment, and sometimes, promulgation of laws. It is the duty of the judiciary to decide whether or not the case is defamatory”.

He said, “to us in civil society, this action by the House is clearly aimed at intimidating and gagging dissenting voices. Such an action is reprehensible, draconian, condemnable, and repugnant— to say the least”.

Oko stated that in recent times, it has become evidently clear that speaking or expressing contrary views on certain matters—especially those involving government officials in Cross River State has become almost sacrilegious as there appears to be a systematic attempt to gag dissenting voices. Daring to question issues of governance is gradually becoming a taboo— a criminal offense.

The activist pointed out that he has been a victim of molestation, victimization, oppression, denial, prejudice, and other coercive measures imposed by those who sit on the pew of power and fundamentally, every citizen has a right to freedom of discussion.

“This means that he is free to say, write or publish anything he pleases so long as he does not breach of the law. The law is only infringed if he says or publishes anything of a defamatory, seditious, blasphemous, or obscene character. If the law is not breached, no individual, whether an elected officer, or a constituted institution has the locus standi to intimidate a citizen in the guise of summoning”, he argued.

By: Archibong Emmanuel

(Snr. Reporter)