The Supreme Court of Nigeria in a landmark judgment on Friday dethroned the Obong of Calabar, Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, while also ordering that a fresh election for the vacant stool be conducted.
The apex court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal on the disputed stool in a unanimous judgment that was prepared by Justice Amina Augie.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that before he was dethroned on Friday, the deposed monarch has been a subject of a protracted legal duel that questioned his selection process.
Justice Akomaye Agim, who read the unanimous judgment ordered the kingmakers and Traditional Rulers’ Council to immediately convoke a fresh selection process to produce another Obong of Calabar in accordance with the 2002 constitution of the Palace.
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The court ruled that the next election shall be held in compliance with the Palace’s 2002 constitution, with equity and real justice.
The deposed Obong is free to take part in the selection procedures, according to the Supreme Court, as he is obviously qualified to do so.
Along with other resentful parties, Etubom Anthony Ani filed the lawsuit that resulted in his deportation.
The deposed monarch was in Suit marked HC/102/2008, filed by counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, sued with others as members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Council for jettisoning the screening process of the Western Calabar.
Court documents showed that a High Court of Cross River state judgement of Justice Obojor A. Ogar had dethroned Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on January 30, 2012 in favour of Etubom Anthony Ani and jettisoned the Appeal Court’s judgement that was in favour of the deposed Obong.
However, the Obong and others challenged the High Court judgement at the Appeal Court, Calabar, and was again sacked by the court and a fresh election ordered.
Not satisfied, the Obong and others challenged the High Court judgement at the Appeal Court, Calabar, and was again sacked by the court and a fresh election ordered.