The widow, Christiana, pleaded with Governor Otu’s wife and the IGP to ensure justice for her husband.
By Our Reporter
The family of late Monday Raphael Isek has accused Ubi Ikpi Ofem of murdering their son at a cocoa farm in Etung Local Government Area, Cross River State.
They allege that Ofem attempted to bribe them with ₦400,000 to suppress the matter and bury their son.
Widow’s Appeal for Justice
Christiana Monday Isek, the widow of the deceased and mother of three, is calling for intervention from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and the Wife of the Cross River Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu. According to her, her husband was killed on September 26, 2024, in a cocoa farm located at Block 2D/66 Ikom Cocoa Estate, which was allocated under the Cross River State Government.
Mrs Christiana Isek.
Recounting the incident, Christiana said her husband left for the farm with his father but did not return. Attempts to reach him by phone led her to a police officer from the Ikom Area Command, who falsely claimed her husband had been arrested. The next day, accompanied by her in-laws, she discovered her husband’s body at a mortuary, allegedly deposited there by Ofem.
“They killed my husband and tried to silence us by sending a church bishop with ₦400,000 to bury the matter,” she said. She rejected the money, demanding justice instead.
Witness Account: Father’s Testimony
Raphael Isek, the father of the deceased, claimed he was present during the attack. He stated that Ofem and his associates confronted them while they were harvesting cocoa. Ofem’s men tied up Monday, beat him with machetes, and eventually transported him—unconscious or dead—to a mortuary. Raphael escaped by hiding nearby.
Mr Rapheal Isek.
“They took him to the mortuary without involving the police,” Raphael said, adding that Ofem later boasted about controlling the police and avoiding prosecution. He called on the IGP to ensure justice for his son, who left behind a young family.
Alleged Previous Attack On The Family
Daniel Raphael Isek, the deceased’s elder brother, recounted a prior incident on August 13, 2024, when Ofem and his associates allegedly attacked him and his father on the same farm. During the altercation, Daniel sustained a severe machete injury to his hand while protecting himself.
Although the case was initially reported to the Etung Divisional Police, Daniel claimed Ofem was not detained despite admitting to the attack. Attempts to settle the matter amicably later resulted in Daniel being threatened with arrest by officers allegedly influenced by Ofem.
Ubi Ikpi Ofem’s Response
When contacted, Ubi Ikpi Ofem denied the allegations, insisting on his innocence. He referred inquiries to his lawyer, Barrister Sunny Mgbe, who confirmed that the matter was under police investigation but declined further comments to avoid prejudicing the case.
Police and Government Reactions
Efforts to obtain a formal statement from the Cross River Police Command yielded limited results. Police spokesperson SP Irene Ugbo said she could not confirm whether the case had been reported to the Commissioner of Police. Additional inquiries to her office went unanswered.
The incident has drawn attention to longstanding disputes over the allocation of cocoa farms in Cross River State. A government memo dated July 27, 2023, highlighted unresolved conflicts stemming from reallocation decisions made by the current administration, which may have contributed to tensions in the area.
Widow’s Plea For Help
The widow, Christiana, pleaded with Governor Otu’s wife and the IGP to ensure justice for her husband. “My husband was killed, leaving me and our three children with nothing. I beg for justice to secure my children’s future and hold those responsible accountable,” she said.
As investigations continue, the family is demanding that the alleged perpetrators be brought to justice and that the cycle of violence and impunity in the region be addressed.