By Uko Okon
A cross section of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Akwa Ibom State has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, calling for the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of Mr. Harry Udoh for allegedly parading himself as the Chairman of a non-existent group, “Akwa Ibom Civil Society Organisations Forum”.
According to the petition, written by Chief Victor Iyanam, Principal of Victor Iyanam & Co. obtained by our correspondent in Uyo on Thursday, Udoh has been masquerading as a civil society functionary, operating under an unregistered entity, and impersonating other CSOs at government functions and events.
The petition also alleges that Mr. Udoh has received goodwill items from government and donor agencies, claiming to represent CSOs in the state.
The petition dated 19th August, 2025, read in part: “We write as Counsel to the Civil Society Organisations in Akwa Ibom State listed at the bottom of this Petition and have their instructions to complain about the unwholesome and criminal conduct of a certain Mr. Harry Udoh who masquerades as a Civil Society functionary or advocate as follows:
“1. He operates under the aegis of AKWA IBOM CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS FORUM, an amorphous entity, with no registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission with which he impersonates and purports to represent other completely unaffiliated bodies at government functions and events.
“2. The culprit, Harry Udoh, on many occasions, is known to have received goodwill items from Government and donor agencies, claiming to have received the items on behalf of Civil Society organisations in the State. Details available on request please.
“3. There is no umbrella civil society organisation in Akwa Ibom State known or recognised as Akwa Ibom Civil Society Organisations Forum. In spite of several entreaties and warnings made to the suspect, he has remained adamant and unbending; intent on continuing with the disgraceful act, with impunity. The latest protest by Civil Society organisations was a joint Press Conference to expose the fraud.
“This Petition became necessary in order to specifically draw the attention of your command to this conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and to rein in this man.”
Recall that the CSOs, in a joint press conference on August 15, 2025, disowned Mr. Udoh’s activities, stating that there is no umbrella forum for CSOs in the state known as Akwa Ibom Civil Society Organisations Forum.
The groups involved include: Otuekong Franklyn Isong, the Director of Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN); Barr. Clifford Thomas, the Convener of Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community (AKHRC); Comrade Ifot N. Ifot, the Chief Executive Officer of Peoples’ Rights To Life Development Foundation (PERLDEF); Comrade (Dr.) Victor David, the Executive Director of Vital Partners For Development (VPD).
Others are : Comrade Samuel Ekarika, the Chairman of Committee For the Defence Of Human Rights (CDHR); Comrade Thomas Mbuotidem, the Head of Secretariat/Project Manager of Foundation For Civic Education, Human Rights and Development (FOCEHRADA); Comrade Gideon Usen, the Director of Civil Society Network For Development; Comrade Ime Udoh, Coordinating Center for Human Rights; Comrade (Mrs.) Helen Ubit, the Executive Director of Theolight Global Foundation (TGF); and Comrade (Barr.) Ubiere Harrison, the Executive Director, Treasure Advocate.
