Posted by Ubong ASSAM Jnr., Eket


The Village Head of Okoho Village in Itu Clan, Obong Etim Edet Okon Ekpo, is facing serious legal trouble following allegations of illegally installing himself as the Clan Head of Itu Clan without the necessary official recognition from the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

However, if found guilty, the Village Head could spend up to two years behind bars.

It is alleged that on May 30, 2024, Obong Etim Edet Okon Ekpo, in conspiracy with several Village Heads in Itu, declared himself the Clan Head of Itu Clan. This illegal installation, carried out without the approval of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, was widely publicized on social media.

Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Akwa Ibom State clearly states that any person who installs themselves or another as a Clan Head without official recognition from the Governor is guilty of a felony. The penalty for such an offense includes imprisonment for two years.

The law reads in part: "A person who purports to install another person; or allows himself to be installed a paramount Ruler, a Clan Head or a Village Head without first obtaining official recognition in writing is guilty of a felony and liable on summary conviction to a fine of Ten Thousand Naira or imprisonment for Two years."

In addition to the illegal self-installation, the paper reliably gathered that Obong Etim Edet Okon Ekpo also set up a juju shrine and made sacrifices with a live cow on the same day. This act has been widely condemned by residents, who argue that the shrine was inappropriately established in a compound not belonging to the supposed worshipper.

Meanwhile, an Akwa Ibom based newspaper authoritatively report that a petition has been filed against Obong Etim Edet Okon Ekpo, and it is expected that he will soon appear in court to face charges. Legal experts suggest that if he is found guilty as alleged, he could face the maximum penalty stipulated under Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law.

According to legal experts, the move to prosecute the self-installed Clan Head and his cohorts is seen as a critical step in upholding the rule of law and maintaining the sanctity of traditional leadership processes in Akwa Ibom State. Authorities are urged to act swiftly to ensure that justice is served and the integrity of the traditional institution is preserved.

A law luminary in the State, E. A. Bassey Esq., opined that the traditional institution is awaiting the court's decision, adding that it will set a significant precedent for similar cases in the future.

Akwa Ibom and Kingship tussle is like bread and Butter, unending court cases, fights, divisions amongst communities, in my village since they started the tussle, for over 5 years now we have not played our usual December community football tournaments, our transformers have been vandalised, they've stolen almost every property in the community primary school, from water pump and water tanks to chairs, there is no longer monthly community sanitation, Everyone is on their own, one man is there claiming the government recognised him while he's not even from a ruling clan, I think government should stop meddling into this affairs.

I am yet to understand why people are desperate for such positions.

This one is Tradition vs Legal wahala!!!