A vulture has delivered a letter to a village head, in Iba Oku, in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, Eteidung Gabriel Mbeka asking him to quite his throne.
The Nation reports that the embattled monarch has cried out for help, alleging that his throne and his life were being threatened by “sinister forces.”
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. 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.
The monarch who was heavily hounded with charges of embezzling N20million proceeds from the community land and other funds, denied the allegation and took the matter before the Uyo Magistrate Court 11.
He said the charge number: MU7152017, 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’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, 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.
However, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge of the case, G. Udofia, said 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.
