Relying on the Cross River State High ruling in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022 between HRM Muri Munene Itam Hogan Itam vs. Governor of Cross River State and two others delivered on July 19, 2022, which set asidet he removal of Itam as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts, Cross River State governor, Bassey Edet Otu, has directed the restoration of Itam to the throne.
Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, who signed a press release to that effect, warned that anyone still occupying the seat would be regarded as an impostor in contravention of Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap T4, Laws of Cross River State, 2004.
“The Governor notes that Prof. Itam Hogan Itam is the only and duly recognized Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene, and Paramount Ruler of the Efuts, as 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”, the release said.
“Governor Otu while congratulating His Royal Majesty Muri Munene, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam, on his restoration to the throne of his forefathers, urges him to pursue peace, inclusion and work towards the good of all Efuts and the State in general”, the release added.
Itam was dethroned by immediate past CRS governor, Ben Ayade, in circumstances mirred in controversy. His reinstatement brings to a probable end, a chieftaincy tussle that almost threatened the peace of Calabar South.