Former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has accused Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, of forcefully removing a Toyota Prado SUV from her Calabar residence while she was out of the country.
The 71-year-old and the state government have exchanging words over alleged diversion of relief materials sent by the National Commission for Refugees to displaced persons of Atai-Ema in Bakassi, whose makeshift houses were burnt in April 2017.
Ita-Giwa had, on June 3, led a team of security operatives to recover some relief materials in a private residence in Calabar.
Since then, there had been claims and counter-claims by various groups over the authenticity of the alleged diversion.
The Cross River State House of Assembly also requested that Ita-Giwa should explain how she distributed the building materials and other items she took delivery of even though she was the one who raised alarm over the alleged diversion.
Speaking in Calabar on Friday after her kinsmen had protested over what they call attempts to tarnish her image, Ita-Giwa said it was wrong for Ayade to send aides to storm her compound in her absence.
Hear her: “They stormed these premises in my absence to remove the car the governor gave to me.
“They removed the Prado Jeep. Even if they had wanted the car, they should have written to me or waited for me to come back.
“But they stormed the premises in my absence and collected the car. What has car got to do with the missing relief materials?”
Letters made available indicated that the Director of Administration, Governor’s Office, David Edem, had, on June 9, requested for the return of the vehicle.
The letter read in part, “With compliments and best wishes from the office of the governor, I most respectfully request you to please return the black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep officially allocated to you by this office on September 6, 2016.
“The vehicle with chassis number JTEBX9F…71, is required to boost our depleted fleet and deepen our service delivery. Any inconvenience caused by this request is regretted, while thanking you for your understanding.”
Similarly, on June 15, the Transport Officer in the Governor’s Office, Bisong Egbe, in a handwritten acknowledgement, noted, “I acknowledge receipt of vehicle, a Prado Jeep returned by Senator Ita-Giwa. The vehicle is in good and working condition.”
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, simply said, “We won’t join issues with her.”
