The Cross River State Government has denied allegations that it pays cult groups or cultists to maintain peace in the state, describing the claim as unsubstantiated.
The government comments came amid public allegations concerning the government’s alleged relationship with cult groups in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, stated this on Tuesday during an impromptu engagement with journalists in Calabar.
Cobham was responding to allegations that the state government had allegedly been making payments to cult groups as part of efforts to maintain peace and security across the state.
The commissioner challenged those making the allegation to provide evidence of any such payment, including the identity of the alleged recipients and documentation linking them to the state government.
He said, “I can’t speak into what does not exist. I would like you to bring the basis showing that the government paid this person, and the identity of that person, which you will have to prove is a cultist.”
Cobham described the allegation as a rumour without sufficient evidence, stressing that his responsibility as Commissioner for Information was to deal with facts.
“I am not a Commissioner for Google. I am a Commissioner for facts,” he said.
He urged journalists and members of the public to distinguish between verifiable information and rumours, particularly on issues concerning public expenditure and security.
According to him, allegations involving government funds should be supported with evidence showing the source of the payment, the recipient and the purpose for which the funds were released.
Cobham said the government would not engage in claims that were not supported by verifiable facts, urging those with evidence of alleged payments to make such information available to the appropriate authorities.
He maintained that any person in possession of evidence capable of substantiating the allegation should present it for proper investigation.
Cobham also reiterated the state government’s commitment to engaging journalists and the public in order to provide accurate information on its policies and programmes and reduce misinformation.