The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dethroned the Obong of Calabar, Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, after 15 years of legal tussle.
The judgment delivered on Friday ordered fresh election to be held in accordance with the 2002 constitution of the Palace, in line with equity and actual justice.
The judgment written by Justice Amina Ahgid and read by Justice Akomoye Agim upheld the judgment of the Appeal Court in Calabar by ordering a fresh election, which the deposed Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu is eligible to contest.
That is the fourth time the Obong would be asked to step down for another selection process.
Etubom Anthony Ani and others in Suit No. HC/102/2008, filed by his lead counsel, Mr. Joe Agi (SAN) sued Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and others in their capacities as members of the Etuborns’ 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.
Contrary to speculations, Etubom Ani had instituted the suit immediately after the Etuboms’ Conclave met and declared Etubom Abasi Otu as the Obong-elect, but not after he had been crowned the Obong of Calabar.
High Court of Cross River State Judgment of Justice Obojor A. Ogar had sacked Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on January 30, 2012, in favour of Etubom Anthony Ani in favour of the now deposed Obong.
However, the Obong and others challenged the High Court Judgement at the Appeal Court, Calabar but were sacked and a fresh election ordered.
Delivering judgment on June 4, 2013, the Lead Judge then, Justice Garba Lawal who is now a Justice of the Supreme Court, ordered that the 1st Respondent (Etubom Ani) who admittedly was not capped into the Etuboms’ Council of the Palace of the Obong was not traditionally qualified to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar under Exhibit 1/20.
“That the 1st Appellant (Abasi Otu) was traditionally qualified and eligible to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar under Exhibit 1/20 at the time of the selection process.
“Hence the Appeal court set aside the selection process that produced Etubom Ani as candidate and also set aside the March 31 proclamation of Etubom Abasi Otu as Obong ordered by the Etuboms’ Conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, whose mandate it is under Article 5(a) (ii) (iv) of Exhibit 1/20, to do so.
“And also to conduct another process of selecting a new Obong of Calabar, in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit 1/20 and in strict compliance with the rules of natural justice”.
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.”
This is the first time in the history of the throne that the apex court would dethrone a siting Obong.
Meanwhile, the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V was in a celebratory mode on Friday after hearing the judgment of the Supreme Court, which qualifies the incumbent 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 the practically said no course for alarm.
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’s verdict but “so far so good and we are confident that Obong of Calabar will remain and peace will continually prevail in the kingdom.”