The attention of concerned stakeholders has been drawn to a press release issued by the media team of Prince Paul Effiong, Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee and Taskforce, attempting to present recent developments around Doveline Investment Nigeria Limited as a case of political intimidation.
That narrative is not only misleading, it carefully avoids the real issue.
The matter is not about Hon. Daniel Asuquo. It is not about politics. It is not about any imaginary challenge to the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. The real issue is the troubling conduct of a public officer who appears to have repeatedly used the cover of a government assignment to interfere with legitimate mining operations, seize equipment, and allegedly pursue private financial interests.
The Federal High Court, Calabar Division, in Suit No. FHC/CA/CS/41/2025, had already addressed similar conduct involving Olayi Mines & Energy Ltd and others. In that judgment delivered on February 19, 2026, the court made it clear that the taskforce headed by Prince Paul Effiong acted outside the scope of its lawful authority when it seized the plaintiffs’ mining implements. The court held that the taskforce had no power to usurp the statutory responsibilities of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the Mining Cadastre Office, or the Federal Mines Officer.
The court further ordered the unconditional release of the excavator keys and two 150 amps excavator batteries seized from the plaintiffs, and awarded the sum of ₦5,000,000.00 against the 1st to 6th defendants jointly and severally. That judgment remains a strong judicial indictment of the crude manner in which the taskforce carried out its so-called enforcement activity.
Against this background, it becomes deeply disturbing that the same Prince Paul Effiong is again linked to the invasion of Doveline’s mining site, where excavator batteries and other mechanical components were allegedly removed without any court order, police warrant, or lawful directive from the appropriate federal mining authorities.
Doveline’s position is straightforward. The company was lawfully assigned to extract iron ore within the relevant location through Giant Cement, with its operations tied to supply arrangements involving Lafarge Africa Plc. Rather than verify the company’s documentation through proper channels, Prince Paul Effiong allegedly chose confrontation, seizure and intimidation.
Even more troubling is the separate facilitation agreement presented in respect of iron ore extraction and supply, wherein Prince Paul Effiong was named as a party to receive ₦2,000 per tonne from Doveline’s iron ore supply business, with his personal Zenith Bank account details provided for payment. This raises serious ethical questions. How does the Chairman of a State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce move from enforcement of public interest to negotiating personal tonnage-based payments from a mining company under his regulatory watch?
That question cannot be buried under emotional press statements.
The attempt by Prince Paul Effiong’s media team to reduce this matter to an attack by Hon. Daniel Asuquo is a calculated distraction. It is designed to shift attention away from the central issue: whether a public officer can use a government-backed position to harass licensed operators while also attempting to benefit personally from the same sector he claims to regulate.
No responsible company is against lawful regulation. Doveline is not opposed to environmental protection, host community engagement or compliance with mining laws. What the company rejects is the primitive resort to self-help, seizure of equipment, intimidation of workers and the weaponisation of public office for private ends.
The Federal High Court has already stated the proper legal route. Where there are concerns about mining compliance, the appropriate step is to report to the Federal Mines Officer or the relevant federal authorities empowered by law. A state taskforce cannot convert itself into a court, police authority, mining regulator and revenue collector at the same time.
Doveline therefore urges the public to disregard the skewed narrative being promoted by Prince Paul Effiong’s media team. The Governor of Cross River State should not be dragged into a private agenda dressed in public colours. His Excellency’s administration has consistently promoted order, investment, peace and due process. Any conduct that embarrasses the state, discourages genuine investors or exposes government to avoidable litigation should be condemned by all well-meaning citizens.
This is not a campaign against enforcement. It is a call for lawful enforcement.
This is not an attack on government. It is a defence of due process.This is not politics. It is about stopping the abuse of public office.
Prince Paul Effiong owes the public clear answers. He should explain why a taskforce under his leadership previously acted in a manner condemned by the Federal High Court. He should explain the alleged removal of Doveline’s excavator components. He should explain the facilitation agreement tied to ₦2,000 per tonne. He should explain why his personal account details appeared in a commercial arrangement involving a mining company whose activities later became the subject of his public attacks.
Until these questions are answered, any attempt to present him as a victim of political persecution remains hollow, evasive and unconvincing.
Doveline Investment Nigeria Limited remains committed to lawful operation, respect for host communities, environmental responsibility and cooperation with all legally recognised authorities. The company will continue to pursue its rights through due process and will resist every attempt to intimidate it through unlawful interference.
The era of crude enforcement, personal vendetta and self-serving interference in legitimate business operations must give way to law, transparency and institutional discipline.
Signed:
Bassey Attah
Public Relations Unit
For: Doveline Investment Nigeria Limited
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