Taraba: Kuteb ethnic group drags Gov Kefas, others to court over chieftaincy stool
The Kuteb ethnic group has asked a High Court sitting in Jalingo to restrain Governor Agbu Kafes of Taraba State from interfering with the traditional stool of Ukwe Takum in Takum Local Government Council of the state.
The Kuteb indigenes, who on Tuesday dragged the governor, the State Government and the Attorney General of the state before the court, are as well challenging the appointment of three third class chiefs and the proposed appointment of a first class Chief of Takum on rotational basis.
In an originating summons filed through their counsel, Barrister, Festus Idepefo, SAN, the plaintiffs – Sule Audu, Auwal Ibrahim and Rimamnyang Boyi Ahmadu – urged Justice Ali Bappa Abbare of the High Court to among others, issue a declaration that the Taraba State Establishment Law No 01 of 2024 did not establish new chiefdoms in Takum.
The Taraba State Establishment Law No 01 of 2024 did not establish the office or stool of Chief of Takum of first class grade to which a person can be appointed.
They are also seeking a declaration that the State Establishment Law No 01 of 2024 did not create the stool or office of chief of Takum who can be appointed a president in council of the Takum traditional council.
The plaintiffs are equally asking the court to declare that Taraba State Establishment Law No 01 did not establish the stool of “Gar’ Chamba, ‘Tsohon’ Jukun and “Kwe” Kuteb Takum to which any person can be appointed.
They also prayed the court to declare that the provisions of Section 18 of the Taraba State Establishment of one rotational first class chief and three third class chiefs Law No 01 of 2024 did not override the provision of all extant laws relating to the existence and recognition of Ukwe Takum.
While seeking an order restraining the defendants from demolishing the palace of Ukwe Takum or taking any step to wipe away the Ukwe Takum palace, the plaintiffs asked the court to stop the government from interfering with or exhuming the remains of past Ukwe Takum namely Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe, Hassan Gankwe, Ibrahim Zorto Audu Gankwe and Ali Ibrahim Kuffang 11 from their graves in the premises of Ukwe Takum palace.
The suit is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from appointing any person into any of the offices listed as members of the Takum Traditional Council by Section 3 (1) (a) of the Taraba State Establishment of one rotational first class chief and three third class chiefs Law No 01 of 2024, as no chiefdom is created for their existence by the said law.
