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Civil rights lawyer and former presidential adviser, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has urged Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu and the Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council, James Anam, in particular, to urgently curb what he described as escalating violence by council rate agents and criminal elements against traders and law-abiding citizens.
Over two months ago, the state Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, had directed that the council agents who harass and beat up traders to stop such uncouth behaviour, but such was not adhered to.
In a statement issued in Calabar on Sunday, Chief Obono-Obla decried the unchecked activities of touts, cultists and petty criminals who, he alleged, have taken control of major markets including Marian Market and Ika Ika Qua.
He accused them of harassing and physically abusing elderly women and other traders who legitimately earn their livelihoods in these spaces.
According to him, the agents operate with alarming audacity, openly subjecting innocent and unsuspecting market women to violence.
He described such actions as unlawful, condemnable and damaging to the image of the Calabar Municipal Council.
The legal expert said public markets and spaces under the constitutional responsibility of local governments have been turned into hostile environments marked by intimidation, fear and a “might-is-right” mentality, which infringes on the fundamental rights and dignity of the elderly, the vulnerable and hardworking citizens.
While acknowledging the council chairman’s efforts at promoting transparency, particularly through the publication of the proposed 2026 budget, he stressed that transparency must be complemented by firm action to restore order.
“Transparency in governance is commendable, but it must be matched with decisive measures to protect fundamental rights and restore sanity in public spaces,” he said.
“There is an urgent need to rein in these touts and cultists whose activities have undermined good governance and public confidence.”
He called on the council leadership to demonstrate greater commitment to order, discipline and respect for human dignity in order to reverse what he described as a state of anomie and anarchy in the municipality.
“Only then can Calabar Municipal Council truly reflect the ideals of good governance and serve the people rather than oppress them”, he maintained.
Check activities of touts, cultists who attack traders – Obono-Obla to Calabar LG boss
