No sum of money was handed to Mr MC Okrika by Hon. Oden Ewa. All funds for the project were expended directly by Hon. Oden Ewa on the project
By Frank Ulom
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Published on September 10, 2026
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3 min read
The Ratel Movement, Cross River State, has denied allegations that Hon. Oden Ewa paid N13 million to public commentator Assam Michael Okongor, popularly known as MC Okrika, over a solar-powered borehole project in Ikom.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 10, 2026, T.O. Teke, counsel to the Ratel Movement Cross River State, said the group was responding to what it described as a circulating public narrative concerning the alleged payment.
According to the statement, MC Okrika had solicited the support of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, for the provision of a solar-powered borehole for pupils of a primary school opposite the Ikom Police Division.
The statement said Ayambem responded to the request and directed Hon. Oden Ewa, whom it described as his friend, to assist with the project.
“Hon. Oden Ewa executed the project at his own cost, through his engineers, and handed over the completed borehole for the benefit of the school and community,” the statement said.
The Ratel Movement maintained that no money was handed over to MC Okrika by Ewa for the project.
“No sum of money was handed to Mr MC Okrika by Hon. Oden Ewa. All funds for the project were expended directly by Hon. Oden Ewa on the project,” it stated.
The group also addressed a video circulating on social media in which questions were reportedly put to MC Okrika regarding the alleged N13 million payment.
It argued that the question posed to its client in the video was misleading and that he was not given an opportunity to properly explain his position.
“It is illogical and unfair for a person to fund and execute a project directly, and then turn around to demand account from the person who only solicited the support, especially when that person was not given any money to execute the project,” the statement added.
The movement challenged anyone alleging that N13 million in cash was paid to MC Okrika to provide evidence supporting the claim.
It specifically requested verifiable documentation such as bank records, receipts or an acknowledgement of payment.
The Ratel Movement also expressed appreciation to Ayambem and Ewa for their roles in providing water for the school and surrounding community.
