A Calabar High Court has sacked the Obong of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V, restraining him from parading himself as the revered Efik monarch until a proper selection has been done.
Former Minister of Finance, Etubom Anthony Ani and four others had, in April 2008, sued the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and seven others challenging the verdict of the Etuboms Council in the selection and proclamation of Otu as the Obong of Calabar.
Justice Obojor Ogar of the Calabar High Court adjourned the matter till January 11 for judgment.
Ani had, in his claim by his counsel, Joe Agi, sought a declaration that “the presentation and/selection of the fourth defendant (Otu) is contrary to natural justice, equity and good conscience.”
He also sought a declaration that the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council’s refusal to entertain his complaint violates his right to fair hearing.
The ex-minister prayed the court for an injunction restraining the government from recognising and/or giving a staff of office to Otu.
Otu’scounsel Ladi Williams, who was represented by Ms Rebecca Tanga, asked the court to dismiss the applicant’s claims, saying “he was not qualified to be the Obong of Calabar.”
He said the applicant was given fair hearing in the process of selection.
In a two hour judgement delivered by the Justice Obonjor Ogar, the court urged the Obong Council to commence the process of selecting of a new Obong.