The Obong of Calabar Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, has been deposed by the Supreme Court, Friday after 15 years of litigation. over his installation procedures which clashed with some of the customary council members.
The court upheld the decision of the Calabar Appeal Court and ordered that a new election be held in accordance with the Palace’s constitution.
Justice Amina Augie wrote the judgment, which was read by Justice Akomaye Agim.
“Etubom Anthony Ani and others had sued Otu and others in their capacities as members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Council for discarding the Etuboms’ Traditional Code of Conduct in Suit No. HC/102/2008, which was filed by his lead counsel, Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, a former minister of finance under the late Gen.” Sani Abacha.
On January 30, 2012, Abasi Otu was deposed as the Obong of Calabar by the High Court of Cross River state judgment of Justice Obojor A. Ogar.
This was in support of Etubom Anthony Ani’s decision to disregard the Appeal Court’s decision in favor of the deposed Obong.
The first respondent (Etubom Ani), who admittedly was not capped/inducted into the Etuboms’ Council of the Palace of the Obong at the time of the selection process, was not traditionally qualified and eligible to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar under Exhibit 1/20, ruled Justice Garba Lawal, the lead judge at the time and currently a Justice of the Supreme Court.
