Court rejects former minister’s plea to remove Obong of Calabar

Justice Elias Abua of the High Court of Cross River State has rejected the prayers of former finance minister, Chief Anthony Ani, who filed a lawsuit seeking an interlocutory injunction to remove the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. In his ruling dated June 25, 2024, Justice Abua stated that the application-on-notice […]

Justice Elias Abua of the High Court of Cross River State has rejected the prayers of former finance minister, Chief Anthony Ani, who filed a lawsuit seeking an interlocutory injunction to remove the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V.

In his ruling dated June 25, 2024, Justice Abua stated that the application-on-notice for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the first defendant, Edidem Abasi-Out, from parading himself as the Obong of Calabar or performing any such functions of the office of the Obong of Calabar was not granted.

“The office of the Obong of Calabar is so highly revered throughout this state and beyond that for an order of injunction to be made restraining anyone from occupying it, the order must be manifestly shown to be deserved by cogent, positive and irrefutable evidence of witnesses that leaves no one in doubt about the firm ground upon, which the decision is predicated.

“I believe that incalculable and avoidable damage would be done to that office by this court if it holds at this stage, that either party is entitled to the reliefs and counterclaims placed before this court when no evidence has been tendered by either side. The facts of this case lend themselves more to the position that the status quo be maintained.

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“It is in the light of the above reasoning that I will refuse the invitation extended to me to make the orders prayed for here and hold that the status quo be maintained,” the judge ruled.

Justice Abua emphasised that granting such orders without tangible reason would cause “incalculable and avoidable damage” to the exalted office.

The case, suit number: HC/278/2023, lists Edidem Abasi-Otu V, Ntiero Edem Offiong Efiwat, Edem Ita Essien Ededem, the Government of Cross River State, and the Attorney-General of Cross River State as defendants.

Several Efik leaders, including Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, Etubom Okon Asuquo and Etubom Micah Archibong, who were members of the 15-man Etubom Conclave that selected and proclaimed Edidem Abasi-Otu V as Obong of Calabar in 2008, 2012, and 2013, are among those who instituted the suit against the Obong.

The court also rejected the claimants’ prayer to restrain the 4th defendant (Government of Cross River State) from “disrupting, hindering, questioning, harassing, or intimidating the claimants/applicants and their associates, association, and assembly.