Dr. Peters Adekoya, Chief of Party, Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research, CCCRN.
By Abasifreke Effiong
The Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research, CCCRN, the NGO named in David Hundeyin’s report, ‘murder in Akwa Ibom: who killed Hiny Umoren?‘, has denied journalists access to its visitors’ log book.
The NGO insisted that Mr. Kufre Effiong is not a staff of the organisation and has never visited its office in Uyo as errorneously published by NewsWireNGR.
CCCRN at a press conference addressed by its Chief of Party, Dr. Peters Adekoya, said the organisation was embarrassed by the speculation in Hundeyin’s report that its office in Uyo may have been commandeered by an illegal organ trafficking ring.
Hundeyin had claimed that based on leaked call record data obtained discreetly from telecos, the principal suspect in Miss Iniubong Umoren’s murder, Frank Uduak Ezekiel Akpan made several long calls to one Kufre Effiong, ‘both men later met at plot 58, G unit, Ewet housing estate which is home to the Uyo branch of CCCRN.’
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Hundeyin said ‘Frank (suspect in police custody) is probably outside the building talking to his older, wiser man on phone’.
Dr. Peters said Mr. Kufre Effiong whom the principal suspect who is police custody purportedly talked to is not a staff of CCCRN.
“We wish to state very clearly that Mr. Effiong is not a staff of CCCRN, neither was he ever in our office premises. We have CCTV recordings and up to date visitors’ register in our Uyo office to buttress this.”
He hinted that CCCRN has been in Akwa Ibom state since December 2019, implementing a five year project called Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA1) which targets vulnerable children and those living with HIV/AIDs. The project is funded by the U.S. President’s emergency plan for AIDS relief through the U.S. agency for international development.
“In Akwa Ibom State, CCCRN provides health, protection, education, nutrition and household economic strengthening services to more than 100,000 orphans and vulnerable children and their households, working with the Government of Akwa Ibom state and reputable community based organisations”, Dr. Peters said.
CCCRN insisted that allegations against the organisation are untrue and unfounded, hence demanded a retraction and apology from NewsWireNGR and Mr. David Hundeyin.
Conducting journalists round its office on Wednesday, Dr. Peters, said there may have been a mapping error on the GPS Mr. Hundeyin relied on.
“We want to think that there may have been a GPS mapping error because of the way houses are numbered within the estate. For instance, we have plot 58, G-line as well as plot 58 G unit. A lot of people get confused with this numbering. However, we are sad that the reporter failed to validate our presence and who we are, beforing publishing his story,” Dr. Peters added.
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Though the CCCRN said it has checked its visitors’ log book and Mr. Kufre Effiong whom Hundeyin claimed was at its office on 30th April is not on the log book, this reporter was denied access to the log book even though he sought repeatedly to sight it.
Dr. Peters said the log book was taken away for safe keeps.
“The visitors’ log book is now a vital document, so we took it away. And, the head of our security who is in custody of it is not around”, Dr. Peters said.
I wonder why such an organisation would block investigation in matters that concern murder linked to her. However, the police investigating team has the right to demand for those records. And these matter should never be swept under carpet.