A Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar has reinstated the suspended paramount ruler of Etung, His Royal Majesty, Dr Ntui Atue, Oru Ojong.
In addition, the court ordered that the monarch be paid N50 million compensation by the State government for the emotional and psychological traumas he suffered during the period of his suspension.
The judgment is in suit No. HC/96/2022 between HRM Ntui Atue (Dr) Oru Ojong, as claimant and the Cross River State government, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and four others as defendants.
The judgment, which was delivered by Justice Elias O. Abua also held that there is no section of the law which authorises the state government to slam a suspension order on a paramount ruler.
The judge maintained that the law only authorised the state government to withdraw the certificate of recognition that is given to a paramount ruler.
The court further stated that the suspension was done in breach of the provision of sections 5, 17(1), 21, (1) and (2) 27, 28 (2), 29 and 30 (2) of traditional rulers cap T4 Vol.6 laws of Cross River State 2004.
The court also issued an order nullifying every act, deed or document signed by the 6th defendant Ntufam Raphael Ekuri Agbor, in his capacity and desisting forthwith from parading himself as acting paramount ruler of Etung LGA.
In his reaction, the reinstated Etung Paramount Ruler, Dr Ntui Atue, Oru Ojong, said the court remains the hope of the common man.
He added that he was wrongly framed for having misappropriated Cocoa money meant for landlord communities.
“I thank God that the court which is the last hope of the common man still exists. I have forgiven all those who conspired and framed me for reasons best known to them.
“I was framed that I ate the royalty money meant for cocoa landlord Communities of Etung, today the State government has begun doing the payment.
“So where did I misappropriate the cocoa fund?” he queried.