By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has directed the immediate restoration of His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem and Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
Otu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, says the decision is based on the ruling of the High Court of Cross River State in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022 between HRM Muri Munene (Prof.) Itam Hogan Itam vs. Governor of Cross River State & 2 ors delivered on July 19, 2022, which set aside the removal of Prof. Itam as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
The Governor noted that Prof. Itam Hogan Itam is the only and duly recognised Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
According to him, “any other person will be regarded as an impostor as such a person will be contravening Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap T4, Laws of Cross River State, 2004, and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Congratulating His Royal Majesty Muri Munene, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, on his restoration to the throne of his forefathers, the governor urged him to pursue peace, inclusion and work towards the good of all Calabar South and the State in general.
