The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dethroned the Obong of Calabar, Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V after years of legal tussle.
But the judgment written by Justice Amina Ahgid and read by Justice Akomoye Agim upheld the judgment of the Appeal Court, Calabar and ordered for a fresh election which the deposed Obong is still qualified to contest and this will be the fourth time the Obong had to step down for another selection exercise.
That Etubom Anthony Ani, M.O.N 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 .
The summary of the judgment made available available to some newsmen in Calabar immediately after it was delivered on January 13, 2023, states that fresh election will be held in accordance with the 2002 constitution of the Palace, in line with equity and actual 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 will dethrone an Obong.
