C’River community seeks reinstatement of suspended traditional ruler

Clan heads of Mbume Blocs in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have protested the non-reinstatement of their suspended ruler, Dr. Emmanuel Ojong.

The clan heads noted that the non-reinstatement of Ojong had been a drawback for the council area and its people.

According to a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar, the state capital, on Thursday, the protest took place following a joint session of the clan heads at Etung.

According to a statement signed by the clan heads of Abia, Ojong Mathew; Bendeghe Ekiem, Obase Erim, and Etomi, Raphael Agbor, respectively,  it is sacrilegious to change a living and sitting paramount ruler.

They called on the state government to obey a court order that ruled in favour of Ojong’s reinstatement.

They noted that his reinstatement would ensure the protection as well as preservation of the traditional institution.

“Our paramount ruler who was selected according to our norms and values cannot be dethroned just like that. Mbume clan cannot be treated derogatorily like that,” the statement read in part.

Ojonh’s suspension was announced by the immediate past administration of the state on May 28, 2021.

He was suspended over alleged “unwholesome activities” that had threatened the peace and stability of the Etung council area.

The suspension was subsequently challenged at the court by the traditional ruler in suit No. HC/96/2022.

However, Justice Elias Abia of the High Court in Calabar ordered his reinstatement in a judgment delivered in March.