“I will not make any comments pending when I am invited by the ICPC” – Oden Ewa
By Frank Ulom
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Published on July 28, 2026
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3 min read
A civil society organisation, Circle of Life Foundation, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for an investigation into alleged corrupt practices, abuse of public office, procurement irregularities and related offences involving former Cross River State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Oden Ewa.
According to the petition, dated July 13, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Chairman of the ICPC at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the anti-corruption agency officially acknowledged receipt of the document on July 21, 2026.
The Foundation, a registered public interest and anti-corruption organisation with its office at No. 6 Louga Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, said it submitted the petition as part of its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, good governance and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The organisation stated that the petition was filed pursuant to the powers vested in the ICPC under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
According to the Foundation, it is requesting a comprehensive investigation into what it described as “serious allegations of corruption, abuse of office, fraudulent financial dealings, procurement irregularities and other related offences” allegedly committed by Ewa during his tenure as commissioner.
Although the petition does not publicly disclose the evidence supporting the allegations, the Foundation’s Executive Director maintained that the claims are significant enough to warrant an urgent investigation by the anti-graft agency in order to strengthen public confidence in governance.
The Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations is responsible for coordinating inter-agency projects, overseeing special assignments from the Governor’s Office and liaising with federal institutions, functions that involve the management of public funds and procurement processes.
Circle of Life Foundation urged the ICPC to give the petition prompt attention, arguing that a thorough and impartial investigation would establish the facts surrounding the allegations while reinforcing accountability in public office.
“The Foundation is calling on the ICPC to treat the petition with the seriousness it deserves, insisting that a thorough and impartial probe will not only test the veracity of the claims but also send a strong signal that public officers, both serving and former, remain accountable for their stewardship of public resources,” the petition stated.
When contacted by YEYENEWSBLOG, Ewa declined to comment on the allegations, saying he would not make any statement until he is formally invited by the ICPC.
“I will not make any comments pending when I am invited by the ICPC,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC had not issued an official statement indicating whether it would commence a formal investigation into the petition.
The matter remains under public attention, with the anti-graft agency yet to announce its next course of action.
Editor’s Note: The allegations contained in the petition have not been tested in court, and no findings of wrongdoing have been made against Mr Oden Ewa. An ICPC investigation, if initiated, would be an inquiry into the claims and not a determination of guilt.
