Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (V) has been removed as the grand patriarch of Efik Kingdom by a judgement of the Appeal Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State.
Justice Obgojor Ogar of the High Court in Calabar had earlier nullified and voided his selection, ruling that the process of his emergence did not follow due process.
In a suit that was instituted by Etubom Anthony Ani, a contestant for the Obong stool, the judge voided Abasi’s emergency to the stool and restrained him from participating in any selection for that purpose.
Ogar ordered Abasi to stop parading himself as the Obong of Calabar until the conduct of a proper election. He equally restrained the Etubom traditional council from excluding Etubom Anthony Ani and Nbiabo Ikoneto from any election or selection of an obong.
On Thursday, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba upheld the earlier judgement, in his own judgement, which lasted more than an hour.
“For the breach of principles and natural justice and the first respondent’s, Anthony Ani’s, right to fair hearing, the selection process conducted by the appellant which terminated in the selection and proclamation of the respondent, Otu, by the Etuboms Council is null and void,” Justice Garba said.
“Accordingly, the Etubom conclave of the palace of the Obong of Calabar is ordered to conduct another process of selecting a new Obong in which all qualified candidates including the sixth respondent will be given the opportunity to participate in accordance with the provisions of exhibit 1/20 and in strict compliance with the rules of natural justice.”
