Court Fixes September 26 for Ruling On Obong Of Càlabar Tussle, Urges Parties To Maintain Statues Quo
By Ndifereke BASSEY
The Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar has again rescheduled ruling on an interlocutory application filed by claimants in the renewed Obong of Calabar tussle to September 26, 2024.
The court has earlier fixed June 26, 2024 as a date to rule on the interlocutory application by claimants but subsequently shifted the date to June 25.
But during Tuesday’s sitting of June 25, 2024, the court presided over by Justice Elias Abua, rescheduled the ruling to September 26, 2024.
In suit No.HC/278/2023 involving Etubom Essien Ekpeyong, Etubom Okon and Etubom Micah Archibong, the court in Tuesday sitting at the high court complex Mary Slessor Road ordered that parties involved in the legal tussle of the Obong stool and thier counsels should make themselves available on September 26 with our any excuse.
The legal battle, which between former finance minister Chief Anthony Ani and the sitting treaty king of the Efik Kingdom, Etubom Ekpo Abasi Out, had their supporters in court.
"The office of the Obong of Càlabar is so revered in the state, status quo should be maintained by parties. We assure parties of fair hearing. I therefore advised that parties should go home in peace, while they await court final decision. Parties must be in court. Absent in court will not be tolerated." The presiding judge warned.
The claimants in the suit which is marked HC/278/2023 comprises Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, Etubom Okon Asuquo and Etubom Micah Archibong.
The defendants in the suit comprises Etubom Abasi Otu, Etubom Edem Offiong Effiwat, Edem Ita Essien Ededem, Government of Cross River State and Attorney General of Cross River State.
