The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in a landmark judgment, dethroned the Obong of Calabar, Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V and ordered that a fresh election for the vacant sit be conducted.
The apex court in an unanimous judgment via Amina Augie, affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision on the disputed stool.
Before his Friday dethronement, the monarch has been a subject of a protracted legal duel that questioned the 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 held that the fresh election be conducted in accordance with the 2002 constitution of the Palace, in line with equity and actual justice.
According to the Supreme Court, the Obong is free to participate in the selection processes as he is eminently qualified to do so.
The suit leading to his removal was filed by Etubom Anthony Ani, alongside other aggrieved subjects.
The deposed monarch, in suit marked HC/102/2008, filed by counsel to the plaintiffs, Joe Agi, was sued with others as members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Council for jettisoning the screening process of the Western Calabar.
