The traditional chief of Esuku-Otu Ikot Ansa, Calabar, Chief Maurice Omin Iso who won court cases involving lands and chieftaincy issues, against the Cross River State government, was reportedly abducted from his home since 21 December 2024.

Reports had emerged that following outcry, Iso was moved from secret detention to a DSS facility in Calabar.

In a petition to the State attorney general and commissioner for Justice in the state, a lawyer and public activist, Okoi Obono-Obla explained that Iso’s only offense “is his recent legal victory in a land case against the Government of Cross River State and certain politically influential individuals from the Ikot Ansa community in Calabar Municipality rose and threatened Iso, the complainant.

“These individuals made threats to use their connections within the government to intimidate and retaliate against him.”

Appealing to the attorney general to intervene, Obono-Obla, the former presidential aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, noted that Iso has been kept away from his family, legal representatives, and loved ones for two weeks.

He said such abduction and detention has raised serious concerns about the rule of law and human rights in Cross River state.

“It is crucial for Mr. Iso to be released by those holding him unlawfully without delay.

“His detention is a violation of his rights and undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

” It is imperative that he be released immediately and that those responsible for his unlawful detention be held accountable.

Complainant allegedly abducted, detained for winning court cases against Cross River govt