Contrary to a recent High Court judgment, Etubom Traditional Council in a surprise move at the weekend, re-elected the dethroned Obong of? Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the Obong of Calabar.
A Calabar High Court presided over by Justice Obgojor Ogar had in a judgement in Suit No. HC/102/2008 on January 30, 2012, brought by one of the contestants of the Obong stool, Etubom Anthony Ani, declared the process that brought the Obong to the throne as null and void and restrained Otu from participating in any selection for that purpose.
But the conclave of Etuboms chaired by Etubom Cobham Mkpang Boco, at the weekend organized a fresh election said to be between the dethroned monarch, (Out) and the former Minister of Finance under the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime, Etubom Ani who in 2008 challenged the process of the selection that brought Otu to office.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Conclave of Etuboms, Cobham Boco and made available to the Journalists in Calabar, the king makers said that though they disagreed and rejected the court verdict, they decided to take the pains to comply with the order.
“In spite of our total disagreement and absolute rejection of that judgment, the Etuboms Traditional Council took the painful step of promptly complying with the essence of that court order by convening the Conclave of Kingmakers for the purpose of conducting another selection of Obong of Calabar.”
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