The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) has exonerated Hon. Cyril James Omini, Member representing Yakurr I State Constituency, of allegations linking him to a N1.6 billion fraud involving a construction firm, Eketeson Resources International Limited, handling road projects in the state.
The decision followed the submission and adoption of a detailed report by the House Special Committee constituted on May 13, 2025, to investigate the matter after a public complaint accused the lawmaker of financial dealings with the contractor.
Presenting the report at plenary, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee, said after a thorough investigation, the Committee found no evidence to support the allegation, describing it as “untrue, unfounded, and baseless.”
According to the report, the Committee invited and took testimonies from all parties involved including Hon. Cyril Omini, Chief Engr. Donald Ekete, Managing Director of Eketeson Resources International Limited, Hon. Pius Ankpo, Commissioner for Works, Mr. Michael Odere, Commissioner for Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong, Accountant-General; and Mr. Ralph Adoga, Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation.
The Committee established that all payments to the contractor were made directly by the Office of the Accountant-General to Eketeson Resources International Limited through the Ministry of Works, following due process and milestone certifications.
Chief Engr. Ekete confirmed during the hearing that he had no financial transaction with Hon. Omini regarding the road projects, adding that any previous monetary exchange between them was strictly on personal grounds as long-time friends.
In the same vein, the Commissioners for Works and Finance, as well as the Accountant-General, all testified that funds for the projects were disbursed electronically and transparently, in accordance with the state’s financial regulations.
The Committee’s findings further revealed that the contractor had only received 30 percent of the total contract sum for each of the projects, contrary to claims that the entire N1.6 billion was diverted. Both the Ugep and Ikom projects, the Committee noted, were executed according to specification, with minor corrections already made where necessary.
In its conclusion, the Committee stated: “Having not been found wanting, Hon. Cyril James Omini, Member representing Yakurr I State Constituency, is hereby absolved of the N1.6 billion financial involvement with Eketeson Resources International Limited as was alleged.”
The Committee also commended the Cross River State Government, under the leadership of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for maintaining transparency and accountability in its contract and payment procedures, describing the state’s project monitoring system as highly commendable.
Following the presentation and adoption of the report, the House unanimously resolved to clear Hon. Omini of all allegations, describing the petition as politically motivated and lacking in substance.
Members of the Special Committee included Hon. Kingsley Ntui Isong (Vice Chairman), Rt. Hon. Davies Etta (Deputy Leader), Hon. Brian Wonah Odey, Hon. Agbor Ovat Dickson, Hon. Ogiji Idaga Martins Achadu, Rt. Hon. Francis B. Asuquo (House Leader), and Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem (Speaker) as Ex-Officio Member.
