Governor Otu Restores Paramount Ruler Sacked By Former Governor Ben Ayade

By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu has directed the immediate restoration of His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene, and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts.

The restoration was contained in a press release made available by Governor Otu’s Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche where Governor Otu said the Paramount Ruler dethroned by former Governor Ben Ayade, is the only recognized village head of Obufa Obio while charging him to pursue peace, inclusion and work towards the good of all Efuts and the State in general.

Prof. Itam Hogan Itam was dethroned by former Governor Ben Ayade in May 2022, for allegedly participating in political activity, in the build-up to the 2023 general election.

However, Governor Otu said his restoration is based on the ruling of the High Court of Cross River State in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022 between HRM Muri Munene (Prof.) Itam Hogan Itam vs. Governor of Cross River State and two others delivered on July 19, 2022, which set aside the removal of Prof. Itam as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts.

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He warned anyone still occupying the seat would be regarded as an impostor as such a person would be contravening Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap T4, Laws of Cross River State, 2004, and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The release reads “Governor Bassey Edet Otu directs the immediate restoration of His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts.

“Governor Otu says the decision is based on the ruling of the High Court of Cross River State in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022 between HRM Muri Munene (Prof.) Itam Hogan Itam vs. Governor of Cross River State & 2 Ors delivered on July 19, 2022, which set aside the removal of Prof. Itam as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts.

“The Governor notes that Prof. Itam Hogan Itam is the only and duly recognized Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene, and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts, as any other person will be regarded as an impostor as such a person will be contravening Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap T4, Laws of Cross River State, 2004, and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“Governor Otu while congratulating His Royal Majesty Muri Munene, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, on his restoration to the throne of his forefathers, urges him to pursue peace, inclusion and work towards the good of all Efuts and the State in general.”

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