March 03, (THEWILL)- Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has directed the immediate reinstatement of the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, His Highness, Prof Itam Hogan Itam.
Governor Out’s decision is based on the ruling of the High Court of Cross River State in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022 between HRM Muri Munene (Prof.) Itam Hogan Itam vs. Governor of Cross River State and two others.
Judgment on the suit was delivered on July 19, 2022 and set aside the removal of Prof. Itam as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, declared Prof. Itam Hogan Itam as the only and duly recognised Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
The governor said that any other person who claims the title will be regarded as an impostor, adding that such a person will be contravening Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap T4, Laws of Cross River State, 2004, and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Governor Otu also congratulated the traditional ruler on his restoration to the throne of his forefathers and urged him to pursue peace, inclusion and work towards the good of all Calabar South and the State in general.
A former governor of the state, Ben Ayade had dethroned Itam and stripped him of the title of Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
Ayade subsequently recognized Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon as Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
