Lawyer Faults Gov Otu’s Decertification of Clan Head in C’River 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

A lawyer,, E. E. Osim, has faulted the alleged dethronemeant of a monarch in Cross State,, Ntufam Linus Effiong Tabi by the governor, Bassey Edet Otu.

Osim said  that this is coming days after the approval of  the election of (HRH) Celestine Awor, as clan head of Ekinta, in Akampa local government area.

The legal practitioner described the allegations of Tabi acting in a dual capacity as clan head of Ekinta in Akamkpa local government and Mbot Akpa in Akpabuyo local government area as false.

Recall that there was a de-certification letter that emanated  from the  office of the special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs approving the election of  Village Head of Ekinta, His Royal Highness (HRH),  Celestine Awor as  new Clan Head of Ekinta Clan in Akamkpa local government area of the state.

Sources close to the office of the SA Chieftaincy Affairs said de-certification of Tabi followed petitions from 5 monarchs from Ekong Anaku traditional rulers council accusing Tabi of acting as clan heads in Akpabuyo and Akamkpa local government areas.

Pained by this development, who faulted the approval said that Tabi has no connection to Ikot Eneyo or any village or clan in Akpabuyo local government area, except for his role as clan head of Ekinta Clan in Akamkpa. 

The lawyer stated that they have reached out to the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and plan to dispatch letters to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs to clarify the matter.

Osim emphasized that a court judgment cannot be altered by mere words of the mouth stressing that the decision of the Court of Appeal stands. 

He noted that Tabi was made a village head in 2003, capped in 2010, and certificated in 2011.

Tabi himself denied attending any meeting in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, except in Akamkpa where he was elected clan head by his people.

 He expressed surprise that the state government would decertify him without proper procedure, stating that they should have appealed the decision to the Supreme Court if they were dissatisfied.

Tabi also questioned the legitimacy of the person allegedly appointed to replace him, stating that the individual is the son of the person who took him to court  sometime ago on same matter but lost out in the case. 

He emphasized that he has never presented himself as belonging to any community other than Mbot akpa, Ekinta Clan in Akamkpa local government area of the state.