Abiati family heads and King-makers in Abiati Community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross State, have officially debunked claims by one Elder Agustine Ekpe of being the village head. Elder Brian Effiong a member of the Abiati traditional council while speaking to our Correspondent over the weekend in Abiati Community, said in 2017, the traditional stool of the village head of the Abiati Community was vacant owing to the demise of Ntufam Pius Itita.
According to him, in 2018, the Akamkpa Traditional Ruler's Council issued a letter of Authority to Act to the then-Deputy village Head Ntufam Dominic E. Bassey who was to act as the Acting Village Head of Abiati Community".
"He added that this did not go down well with the Eldest son of Late Ntufam Pius Itita, Elder Augustine Ekpe who wants to succeed his late father by all means.
Also speaking, Mr. Agbor Effiong of kakor family faulted Elder Augustine who has been parading himself and telling people to address him as the village head of the Abiati community.
He pointed out that Elder Augustine Ekpe took Ntufam Dominic E. Bassey and ten others to court before His Lordship Hon. Justice Emilia Ibok in the High Court of Cross River State Challenging the decision of Akamkpa Traditional Rulers Council. Before this court, he lost out, and the judgment was in favor of Ntufam Dominic E. Bassey.
" Elder Augustine Ekpe's actions over the kingship of Abiati community has always been resisted and condemned by indigene and non-indigene of Abiati community".
In his words Elder Emmanuel Bassey who is the head of Effiom Achort family said he was among the Elders who selected Ntufam Dominic E Bassey to be the village Head of Abiati after the demise of Ntufam Pius itita and that Ntufam Dominic E. Bassey is the only village head himself and his entire family knows.
Mr Bassey okon and Elder ewah Lawrence of Ekun Edet and itatuk Family respectively affirm and reaffirmed the authenticity of Ntufam Dominic E. Bassey as the village head of Abiati.
In the voice of Daniel Achort "Elder Augustine Ekpe is bent on fighting the community and the Ejagham tradition. Adding that Ejagham Kingship is not hereditary but by family root. Abiati people have taken their stand on Ntufam Dominic Bassey and are ready to do everything legally appropriate to refute Elder Augustine Ekpes's antics.
He further explained that there was already an acting village head in the person of Ntufam Dominic E. Bassey recognized and affirmed by the Akamkpa traditional rulers council and the court sitting of Hon. Justice Emilia Ibok in the federal high court in Calabar in 2021.
He concluded that Elder Augustine is not an indigene of the Abiati Community but a grandson to Abiati community and that he should trace his roots to Ndingane Community of Akamkpa Local Government Area of CRS.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Elder Ewah Lawrence corroborated the submission of the previous speakers with a display of various court documents and judgement in favour of Ntufam Dominic E Bassey. He question why the former governor of the state H E Ben Ayade who is a lawyer would disobey the court judgement by His Lordship Hon. Justice Edem Ita-koofreh. He ended up appealing to the executive governor of the state Sen Bassey Edet otu to intervene for safety, justice, and equity sake.
Hon. Believe Effiong While expressing concerns over the actions of Elder Augustine Ekpe, said the claims are false. He wonder why Elder Augustine is so desperate to succeed his late father. He went further to state that Elder Augustine Ekpe is being place under interlocutory injunction by the court of Hon justice Edem ita-koofreh and was warned not to parade himself as the village head of Abiati. He went further to state that the injunction also prevented the chairman CRS traditional rulers council HRH Etiyin Etim okon Edet, the government of CRS and the antorney general of CRS from selecting, nominating, presenting, capping and issuing certificate of recognition to elder Augustine Ekpe but it became shocking how HRH Etiyin Etim okon and the former SA on chieftency affairs to Ben Ayade Mr. Adoga circumvented the judiciary by going against her judgement. He declared that the said certificate in elder Augustine custody was gotten fraudulently and it is fake. That form 48 and 49 has been file against Elder Augustine Ekpe and believe that the court will redeem herself from the insult meted on her by the previous Government of H.E Ben Ayade and serve justice were necessary. He ended up appealing to the young people of Abiati to remain peaceful while assuring them of justice and as well appeal to the government of the day led by the dotting governor Sweetest Prince to intervene.
Refuting the claims by Augustine Ekpe that he is the village head of Abiati Community, Raphael Dominic who is one of the sons of Ntufam Dominic E Bassey, urged Augustine Ekpe to quickly apologize to the community and the kingmakers and withdraw his claim in other not to incurre the wrath of the ancestors.
He thanked the youths for thier encouragement and for standing for the side of truth.
He pleaded with everyone to come together to make peace for the progress of the community and also urged the government to look into the issues raised by the Abiati Community.
He concluded that the "Abiati community is sitting on a time bomb awaiting explosion if the government of Cross River refused to call Elder Augustine to order.
Adding his voice, the youth leader of Abiati Comr Joseph Effiong Bassey stated that Since we are in the season of sweetness, bloodshed, injustice and wickedness should not be allowed to strive. He question why Elder Augustine Ekpe is desperate in succeeding his late father even when he knows that the stool in ejagham is not hereditary but by Family root. Challenging Elder Augustine Ekpe to prove to the world that he is from Abiati community. He went further to state that it is laughable and wonder what elder Augustine Ekpe who is ojuk North PDP ward leader who did everything within his power to win Abiati polling unit for Sen Sandy onor ND Ntufam Ekpo okon but failed, is looking for in the ancestral stool of Abiati community. He advise him to concentrate on filling up the lacunas in his party and allow Ntufam Dominic E Bassey to administer the land of His forefathers. He concluded by appealing to the state government to intervene in other to avoid possible unrest and violence in this season of sweetness.
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