IKOM, CROSS RIVER STATE — The lawyer representing public commentator and activist MC Okrika has called for a full police investigation into an alleged assault involving his client at Hotel 45 in Ikom, Cross River State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 6, counsel T.O. Teke, Esq., said the incident occurred at the hotel and involved individuals he described as political associates of aspiring senatorial candidate Odenewa.
According to the lawyer, eyewitness accounts provided to his office indicate that Okrika was allegedly slapped and beaten during a confrontation, while a drink was also allegedly poured on him.
The lawyer said attempts to record the confrontation were restricted, leaving only limited footage from the immediate scene.
He also raised concerns over the circulation of photographs and videos showing Okrika interacting calmly with Odenewa shortly before the alleged incident.
While acknowledging that the images are genuine, Teke said they do not capture the entire sequence of events surrounding the confrontation.
The lawyer has called on the management of Hotel 45 to publicly clarify what happened and release all relevant, unedited CCTV footage covering the areas and period in question.
Teke also said his office had formally notified the Cross River State Police Command and requested a thorough and impartial investigation.
“We urge all eyewitnesses to come forward with information,” the statement said.
The lawyer stressed that Okrika was entitled to freedom of expression and political commentary, arguing that criticism of public officials should not result in physical intimidation or violence.
At the same time, he called for due process, saying all parties should be given an opportunity to present their accounts and that the claims should be tested against available evidence.
The statement concluded with a call for the full evidence surrounding the incident to be made available, rather than relying on selected photographs or video clips.
No independent verification of the alleged assault or the identities and affiliations of those involved was provided in the statement. The Credibility News could not independently establish the circumstances of the confrontation at the time of publication.
