CALABAR, Nigeria — Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has ordered his aides to withdraw their police complaint against social commentator and businessman Denis Odama, paving the way for his release from custody.

The governor also instructed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to immediately review the case and discontinue the prosecution.

In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, Otu explained that he received a full briefing on the matter, which arose after his aides reported Odama for allegedly making derogatory remarks against him.

Otu stated that as a leader, he directed the involved aides to withdraw their petition so that Odama could leave the correctional facility and reunite with his family.

The governor cited Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing his commitment to protecting the constitutional right of citizens to express themselves and offer constructive criticism.

However, Otu urged young people in the state to exercise their freedom of speech responsibly and with respect for local cultural and moral standards.

Odama was arrested by police officers in Lagos on August 9, 2026, before being transferred to Calabar, where he was arraigned and remanded.

The businessman's detention had sparked widespread criticism from political figures and human rights activists who demanded his immediate release.

Prior to the governor's intervention, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, clarified that the state government was not behind the prosecution.

Cobham stated that the aides filed the petition in their personal capacities, distancing the governor's office from the legal action.