Natives of
Iba Oku, Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom state are yet to come to terms
with how a vulture allegedly delivered a letter to their village head, Eteidung
Gabriel Mbeka asking him to quite his throne.
Following
the strange incident, palpable tension has enveloped the sleepy community even
as the embattled monarch has cried out for help alleging that his throne and
his life are being threatened by ‘sinister forces’.
Speaking to
the Nation in his palace, the monarch accused the Clan Head of Oku, Etebom
Enefiok Effiong Okpon, of alleged sinister plot to oust him “because he wants
to turn my domain into his vassal province”.
“Since I was
given the staff of office in 2012, as the Village Head of Iba Oku, I have been
having a running battle with my Clan Head, Etebom Okpon, who insisted he must
also control my domain and collect revenues.
“When I
could not yield to his request, he resorted to using traditional invocations to
eliminate me. They sent vulture to deliver a letter, asking me to quit the
throne. I was scared and had to escape from my palace for several months.
“Since that
period, I have been totally deprived of my powers to function effectively as
the traditional ruler of my community.
The Clan
Head denied me the powers to hold court with my people by sealing off the
Village Council Hall, forcing me to attend to my people in the primary school
and my palace.
“Hoodlums
also invaded my palace and seized my royal regalia and other paraphernalia of
office; just make me ordinary as a traditional ruler.
“When all
these actions failed, he started sending threat messages that I would be
eliminated if I fail to cooperate with him to sell government’s land and share
the proceeds with him.
“Recently,
he sent one of his Personal Assistant (PA) to come to my area and enquire
concerning my personal details as well as my daily routines. But he did not
know that one of those he enquired from is my loyal subject.
“I reported
the case to the Police and later charged it to Court, but up till now, it is
regrettable that matters concerning my life cannot be allowed to go to Court
for redress because of interventions by politicians for their personal
interests”, he lamented.
It was
gathered that the Etteidung Mbeke, was heavily hounded with trump up charges of
embezzling N20million proceeds from the community land and other funds, but the
monarch denied the allegation and took the matter before the Uyo Magistrate
Court 11.
The case
with charge number: MU\715\2017, according to the monarch was first heard at
the Uyo Magistrate Court 11, but the Court declined jurisdiction and referred
it the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for the matter to be reassign to
the High Court.
The monarch
prayers include Court order restraining the accused from invading his community
with warriors to dethrone him, threats to his life and plot to take over his
domain and resources.
“Up till
now, the case is still pending with the DPP because of interests from the
politicians including the member representing the Uyo Federal Constituency,
Hon. Mark Enyong and that of the House of Assembly for Uyo, Hon. Monday Eyo”.
“I want
justice in my case; let the matter be taken to the High Court so that all these
issues will be addressed. The politicians should leave the case alone because
it is a traditional matter”, he said.
According to
him, the case was to be heard in the High Court, on October 26, but expressed
worry that with all the antics displayed by the DPP, the matter may be
suppressed continually”.
“I am the
only surviving Village Head still remaining on the throne in Afaha Oku Clan.
The Clan Head has made it a point of duty to stampede others who could not
cooperate with him”, he lamented.
“For
instance, he (the Clan Head), has forced out other certified Village Heads in
my Clan including the Village Head of Nnung Ebie Enang Idoro, Nnung Uyo Idoro,
Nduetong Oku and Afaha Oku”, he said, adding that “in some villages that he
can’t control, he made sure
there is a
parallel government in the place.
When
contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of the case, Mr. G.
Udofia, saying the matter has lingered for several months, but express worry
over the refusal of the contending parties to resolve it amicably.
“The Federal
House member for Uyo, Hon. Mike Enyong called me to expressed dissatisfaction
over the handling of the matter and since then, I have not heard from him again”,
he said.
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