Efik chiefs remain upbeat despite Supreme Court judgment
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Etuboms in the Palace of the Obong of Calabar are upbeat and seem to be in a celebration mode after hearing the judgement of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court in its judgment had called for a fresh selection process for the stool of Obong of Calabar.
By the judgment, the incumbent, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V remains qualified to participate in a fresh nomination process that has been ordered.
Even though the verdict has technically but temporarily sacked the Obong, the Palace is upbeat and confident of his return as they practically said no course for alarm.
Speaking on Friday at the private residence and Palace of the Obong, the Chairman of Etubom traditional council in the Palace, Etubom Bassey Okor Bassey Duke, noted that they are yet to get full brief of the apex court verdict.
However, he said “so far so good and we are confident that Obong of Calabar will remain and peace will continually prevail in the kingdom,” he said.
The 15 year old legal tussle was instituted at the instance of Etubom Anthony Ani, a former Minister of Finance under the Sanni Abacha military jaunta.
Etubom Anthony Ani and others had in Suit No. HC/102/2008, filed by his lead counsel, Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, sued Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and others in their capacities as members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Council for jettisoning the screening process of the Western Calabar under the then Chairman, Etubom Abasi-Otu, now the Obong of Calabar that had screened and selected Etubom Ani as their sole candidate .
The High Court of Cross River State judgement of Justice Obojor A. Ogar had sacked Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on January 30, 2012 in favour of Etubom Anthony Ani and jettison the Appeal Court judgement that was in favour of the deposed Obong.
However, the Obong and others challenged the High Court Judgement at the Appeal Court, Calabar and was sacked and a fresh election ordered.
Still dissatisfied, the parties approached the Supreme Court which has finally ended the protracted tussle for the Efik throne.
At the palace of the Obong in his private residence at Adiabo, some of the Etuboms were ushered in for an emergency meeting with a song that “till tomorrow Edidem Ekpo Okon will still win them till tomorrow
