Osokom Development Council Dissolved After Disrupting Court Sitting, Attack On Security Personnel, Violent Conduct

By Patrick Obia

The Osokom Development Council (ODC), Osokom Central Youth Council and their Executive Committee, have been dissolved with immediate effect.

The youths of the ODC were said to have on December 9th, 2025, with fresh palm leaves tied to their necks invaded the premises of the High Court of Okundi, chanting war songs and disrupted the court’s proceedings because some applicants sued one Victor Odok, ODC Chairman and others for flagrant violation of their fundamental rights.

According to the Boki branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barrister Tah Edwardson Offre, they threatened that someone would die immediately if one of the palm leaves on their necks was cut by anyone.

In a letter of suspension signed by the Clan Head of Bansan Osokom Clan/Chairman of Clan Heads of Osokom, HRH. Paul Nsabe and addressed to the Chairman of Boki LGA, the Nigeria Police Okundi Division, the Nigeria Army Okundi out-post unit, the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Security- Central, all security formations in Boki and among others, noted that the conduct of the youths in the management of the issue has not only demonstrated gross incompetence and administrative irresponsibility, but has also directly contributed to an escalation of violence, lawlessness, and criminality within the communities.

The Clan Head acknowledged that the attack and infliction of injuries on four army personnel, death of the youth chairman of Agba II during the escalated violence; the seizure and unlawful possession of army personnel firearms and ammunition and the assault on both police and military personnel is a direct attack on lawful authority and national security institutions.

They are directed to surrender all official property, documents, and instruments of authority in their possession and desist from convening meetings, issuing directives, or carrying out any activities in the name of the dissolved councils.

Dissolution notice reads below:

My office and the entire traditional institution which constituted you have received, with deep shock and utter disappointment, credible and overwhelming reports regarding your collective failure to provide leadership, maintain peace, or discharge the responsibilities entrusted to you in relation to the ongoing crisis in Eshiagurube
Community, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Your conduct in the management of this issue has not only demonstrated gross incompetence and administrative irresponsibility, but has also directly contributed to an escalation of violence, lawlessness, and criminality within the communities.

The following actions, perpetrated under your watch and in some cases with your active participation or tacit approval, are hereby condemned in the strongest possible terms:

1. The mobilization of members of your councils to the High Court premises and chanting of war songs with the deliberate act intention of disrupting lawful judicial proceedings.
2. The violent disruption of the Court’s session, thereby obstructing the administration of justice and bringing the community into disrepute.
3. The brutal assault on the High Court Judge driver and his Police Orderly, acts which constitute clear criminal offences.
4. The beating, molestation, dehumanisation and ostracising of Mr. Odu Natty and his wife, in complete violation of their constitutional rights.
5. The assault on Chief Andrew Otubutu Owan, Clan Head of Bafin/Etintim Clan, an act of grave disrespect to traditional authority and a breach of public order.
6. The malicious burning of Mr. Odu Natty’s vehicle parked within the Court premises, a clear manifestation of arson and community-induced terror.
7. The attack and infliction of injuries on four (4) army personnel, thereby endangering national security and constituting a federal offence.
8. The death of the Youth Chairman of Agba II during the escalated violence, an incident of grave concern, and an aftermath of your senseless confrontation with the army and police sent by the Court to restore peace and order.
9. The assault on both police and military personnel, a direct attack on lawful authority and national security institutions.
10. The seizure and unlawful possession of army personnel firearms and ammunition, an extremely serious criminal act amounting to a threat against the State.

These actions and many others too numerous to mention represent an unprecedented breakdown of leadership, a subversion of peace and order, and a reckless disregard
for human life, the rule of law, and the dignity of the Osokom Communities of over twenty (20) villages. Your councils have exhibited behaviour that are incompatible with public trust and wholly inconsistent with the purpose for which you were constituted.

Therefore, by the powers vested in this office and in the interest of peace, law, and community stability, the Osokom Development Council (ODC), the Osokom Central Youth Council, and all their Executive Committees are hereby DISSOLVED with immediate effect.
All official duties, engagements, and representations by your councils cease forthwith.

You are hereby directed to:

1. Surrender all official property, documents, and instruments of authority in your possession to this office not later than 48 hours from the date of this notice to the undersigned.
2. Desist from convening meetings, issuing directives, or carrying out any activities in the name of the dissolved councils.

Failure to comply with the directives contained herein shall be considered an act of obstruction and will attract appropriate legal consequences.

A caretaker committee shall be announced in due course to ensure continuity of community administration and the restoration of peace and order.

This letter serves as an official and final notice.
Yours faithfully,

HRH, Paul Nsabe
Clan Head of Bansan Osokom Clan/Chairman
of Clan Heads of Osokom
cc:
The Chairman, Boki LGA
The Nigeria Police, Okundi Division
The Nigeria Army, Okundi out-post unit
The S. A. to the CRS Governor on Security, Central
The member, Boki II State Constituency
All Security formations in Boki
All Community Chairmen, Women, & Youth Leaders of Osokom communities