- Former Finance Minister Anthony Ani loses appeal
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by former Minister of Finance, Etubom Anthony Ani challenging the ascendancy of Etubom Abasi Otu as the incumbent Obong of Calabar and the grand patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.
The Apex Court made its position clear in the judgment read by Justice Amina Augie on Friday, declaring that the appeal by Etubom Ani was rejected for lacking in merit. The ruling conclusively upholds the Court of Appeal’s decision of June 4, 2013, on the matter that was challenged by the former Minister.
In its judgment, the Appeal Court held that he (Etubom Ani) was not traditionally qualified and eligible to vie for the throne of Obong of Calabar, having admittedly not been capped/inducted into the Etuboms’ Council of the Obong Palace at the time of the selection process in 2008.
By that ruling, the Appeal Court had quashed a Cross River State High Court judgment that agreed with Ani, who argued that in line with the principle of natural justice, equity, and good conscience, it was the turn of his royal house to ascend the Obong of Calabar throne for the first time as the Obong-elect
Presided over by Justice Obojor Ogar, the High Court held that “the purported selection of the 4th defendant (Etubom Abasi Otu) as the Obong of Calabar-elect, who is from Adiabo, is contrary to the decision of the Western Calabar Traditional Rulers Council that Ikoneto has the exclusive right to produce the next Obong of Calabar.”
It’s Jubilation, Excitement Galore In Calabar
Expectedly, as news of the Supreme Court judgment filtered into town, the Obong of Calabar immediately become a beehive of activities with the atmosphere taking the shape of instant festivities and celebrations by different groups loyal to the revered Efik throne.
Expressing joy at the Supreme Court decision, Chairman of the Etubom Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness (HRH) Etubom Bassey Okoh Bassey Duke, extended the Council’s heartfelt felicitations to the entire Efik kingdom, stressing that the judgment has finally settled the contentious issue and wiped out whatever doubts may have existed on the rightful occupant of the throne.
Etubom Duke, popularly called Etubom BOB Duke, told journalists in Calabar that the Etubom Council has already set into motion machinery that would study the judgment in detail and advise on the way forward within two weeks.
He said for now, the Council members are keeping their fingers crossed pending the outcome of the panel’s report on judgment, and urged for calm within the Efik kingdom as the matter is effectively under control.
Etubom Council Members Laud Judgment
Meanwhile, reactions have been trailing the Apex Court ruling on the tussle that had rocked the revered Efik throne in the last 15 years.
A prominent member of the Etubom Traditional Council, Etubom (Arc) Bassey Eyo Ndem, who expressed happiness over judgment, described it as a victory for the entire Efik Kingdom that, over the years, have remained resolute in their loyalty to the ancient throne
Baring his mind to newsmen in Calabar, Etubom Ndem said the Efiks have reaped the benefits of loyalty to the throne as the decision would further cement the bond of unity and respect among the entire 12 ancestral clans that constitute the Efik Kingdom.
He said the way forward is returning to their enclave and mapping out a strategy that would further strengthen their faith in who the Efiks are as a people and also what they represent as a collective entity.
In the same vein, an Adviser in the Obong’s Palace, Etinyin Steven Coco-Bassey told reporters that the time has come for them to unanimously demonstrate the unity of purpose as a people so that in the future no one would dare to challenge the collective decision and faith in a matter that clearly demonstrated the choice of Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi as the Obong of Calabar over 15 years ago was too sacred to be toyed with.
He further stated that the Apex Court’s judgment has provided the Efiks with ample opportunity to demonstrate to the entire world that as a people, they are resilient enough to overcome any adversity.
Ani’s Camp Keeps Mum
Meanwhile, mum seems to be the watchword in the camp of the petitioner in the suit, Etubom Tony Ani. No one from the former Minister’s camp was willing to comment on the latest development with the excuse that they awaiting further directives from their principal who resides in Lagos.
