Mba told NAN on Saturday that her son was beaten and shot in
front of the Cross River governor’s residence.

The mother said on August 1, the deceased went to the
governor’s residence and insisted on seeing Otu to deliver what he described as
a message from God.

She alleged that her son was resisted, beaten, and shot by
security operatives attached to the governor over his insistence on seeing Otu.

Mba said her son died at the Naval Reference Hospital,
Calabar, from injuries sustained from the gunshot.

“We (my husband and I) were away in Abia when the incident
occurred. On our return, we got a call from an official of the Red Cross
Society that rushed him to the hospital,” she said.

“When we arrived at the hospital, we asked our son what
happened. He (the deceased) told us that he only requested to see the governor
because he had a message for him from God.

“I am not making excuses for him. My son had always loved
God’s work since age 10 and often spoke of visions.

“We only pleaded with him to complete his education before
going fully into God’s work.”

The mother alleged that during the period her son was in the
hospital, security operatives from the governor’s office were around the
hospital to monitor the situation.

“They wore plain clothes and rotated duties morning,
afternoon, and night,” she said.

“One aide to the governor’s chief of staff, by name Emmanuel
Dickson, was in touch with us and also visited the hospital.

“The security operatives demanded copies of all the receipts
for his treatments, even though the Red Cross footed the bills.

“When my son died on Saturday, August 9, I called the same
Dickson to inform him that the mortuary bill was N54,000 plus, but he only sent
N50,000.

“It is the same person and others who are now threatening
us, saying there is nothing we can do, even if we cry to high heaven, since the
governor is involved.”

Mba said the family has not been allowed to take the
deceased’s body for burial.

‘INCIDENT HAPPENED AT OTU’S FORMER HOUSE, NOT OFFICIAL
RESIDENCE’

Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River commissioner of information,
told NAN that the location visited by the deceased is Otu’s “former house” and
not his official residence.

Ekpang alleged that the deceased had mental challenges,
adding that he threw stones at the police officer attached to the residence..

“Firstly, the house is not where the governor presently
resides, and secondly, only one security officer was at the premises when the
boy visited,” the commissioner said.

“There is video evidence showing the boy throwing large
stones at the policeman.

“He was not mentally okay and, at a point, even apologised
for throwing the stones.

“In spite of this, we strongly condemn the beating and
shooting of the boy.

“It is not something anyone should be happy about, no matter
the circumstances.”

NAN reports that the Cross River commissioner of police said
the case had been forwarded to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) for
legal advice.