Co-operative Society in Marian market send SOS to key stakeholders in government over lingering feud

The Atekong Palm Oil Dealers Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society have sent SOS to the Executive Chairman of Calabar Municipality Local Government Area, Apostle (Hon.) James Anam; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Chief Victor Felix Idem and Member Representing Calabar Municipality State Constituency in Cross River State House of Assembly Hon. Stanley Nsemo seeking their intervention in the lingering crisis rocking the association owing to the uncomplimentary actions by the out-gone president and incumbent secretary of the group, Mr. Sam Joe Inwang and Mrs. Cynthia Joshua Robson whom they accused of embezzling funds of the group as well as muting extension of their tenures in office after expiration by foisting a strange amended constitution unknown to members.

It would be recalled that intervention by security operatives from Akim Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force doused tension in previous fracas as aggrieved members led by Benjamin Akpabio protested against Mrs. Cynthia Joshua Robson and out-gone president of the association Sam Joe Inwang for their ploy to remain in office by illegally extending their tenures in office through forged amended constitution without the knowledge of other members as published in The LENS Online dated Friday 20th September, 2024.

Fielding questions from newsmen at Akim Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday 21st November, 2024, Benjamin Akpabio, leader of the aggrieved members who was earlier arrested, detained but granted bail over trump-up charges through a petition filed by Mrs. Robson and Mr. Inwang profiling him as a threat to the association, said they want justice to prevail in the lingering crisis for peace to reign in the market. They demanded for the vacation of the illegal tenure elongation by the duo whose two-terms period in office had expired in June, 2023 so as to make way for new executive to be elected and sworn-in to pilot the affairs of the group. He as well called for refund of the embezzled N2.5million of the association which they cannot account for as the group is yet to have official account in the bank as stipulated by the constitution.

They opined that failure of the relevant government agencies to wade into the matter could lead to chaos resulting in exploitation, unlawful extortion and high-handedness as previously experienced during the dispensation of Emmanuel Mbora in the popular Marian/Ika-Ika Oqua market in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Efforts to contact co-operative unit in the Cross River State Ministry of Trade and Industry to comment on the matter proved abortive as at the time of filing this report

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)