Cross River: Efut kingdom rejects monarch endorsed by governor Otu

Crisis is brewing in Efut kingdom of Cross River state over Governor Bassey Otu’s recognition of Professor Itam Hogan Itam, one of the contenders to the traditional stool of the Munene of the Efuts, as the one to occupy the ancient throne.

The succession tussle had witnessed many court cases and physical fights since 2009 when the last occupant of the throne, Munene Ita Okokon, joined his ancestors.

Few years ago, the Ben Ayade’s administration had given Professor Itam the staff of office as Munene of Efuts and paramount ruler of Calabar South, but the same government later deposed him. This, however, caused the embattled Professor to approach the court for justice.

However, in a press statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche, chief press secretary to the governor, Otu directed the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Itam, explaining that the “decision is based on the ruling of the High Court of Cross River state in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022,” which ordered the reinstatement of the professor.

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But the apex decision making body of the Efut people, The Efut Combined Assembly, which has equally obtained a series of court judgements against the embattled professor, is crying foul over the governor’s order.

In a press statement made available to our reporter and signed by Muris of the ancestral clans of the kingdom, the Efut Combined Assembly said the case which the government based its decision on, “is in Appeal Court in Suit No.CA/C/46/2023, where Appeal and Stay of Execution was properly entered.”

The assembly said, “the press release of 29th February, 2024 (government’s release), clearly contravenes the said Appeal and Stay of Execution and should, as a matter of urgency, be reversed in the interest of justice, even as someone else has been issued with certificate of recognition as village/clan head of Efut Ukem, Odukpani L.G.A.”