Alleged moves to depose the village head of Iba Oku, Etteidung Gabriel Mbeke, took a different dimension at the weekend as a vulture delivered a threat letter to him.
This followed alleged subtle moves by the clan head of Oku, Etebom Enefiok Effiong Okpon, to oust him from office.
The embattled monarch in a session on Monday accused the Clan Head of alleged plot to control his domain.
He said, “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. He sent a vulture to come and deliver a letter, asking me to quit the throne.’’
He added that he was scared and had to escape from the 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 failed to cooperate with him to sell government’s land and share the proceeds with him.”
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Mbeke alleged that the Clan Head sent one of his Personal Assistant (PA) to come to my area and enquire about my personal details as well as my daily routines, but did not know that one of those he inquired from was his loyal subject.
He disclosed that he had reported the case to the Police and later charged it to court but it was regrettable that matters concerning his life could not be allowed to go to court for redress because of interventions by politicians.
Mbeke said the alleged trump up charges accusing him of embezzling N20 million proceeds from the community land and other funds, was not true.
He said he had taken the matter before the Uyo Magistrate Court II.
The case with charge number: MU\715\2017, according to the monarch was first heard at the Uyo Magistrate Court II, but the court declined jurisdiction and referred it the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for the matter to be reassigned to the High Court.
The monarch’s 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, onOctober 26, but expressed worry that with all the antics displayed by politicians, 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.
Efforts to reach the village the Clan Head of Oku, Effiong Okpon, for comments were not successful at press time.
