Ex-Obong sued for contempt

Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, who was re-elected Obong of Calabar last Saturday by the Etubom’s Traditional Council (ETC) and four others, have been sued for contempt.

Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, who was re-elected Obong of Calabar last Saturday by the Etubom’s Traditional Council (ETC) and four others, have been sued for contempt.

Etubom Anthony Ani, yesterday through his counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), filed “Form 48, Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court”.

The contempt notice dated February 8 and signed by the Registrar of the Court, Paulinus Ekawu, reads: “Unless you obey the order of Justice Obojor Ogar made on January 30, attached hereto, you shall be guilty of contempt of court and shall be liable to be committed to prison”.

Justice Ogar had in a judgment on January 30, 2012 declared the process that brought the Obong to the throne as null and void and restrained Otu from participating in any selection for that purpose.

He restrained Otu from parading himself as the Obong of Calabar until a proper election has been conducted and also restrained the Etubom Traditional Council from excluding Etubom Anthony Ani and Mbiabo Ikoneto from any election or selection of an Obong.