Ntufam Linus Effiong Oben Tabi was ousted by Senator Bassey Otu, the governor of Cross River State, as the village chief of Mbot Akpa and Ekinta Clan in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
According to Otuekong Francis Edet, his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, the governor’s decision was based on evidence that the overthrown monarch had impersonated people and used false claims to gain recognition.
Tabi obtained a certificate of recognition for Mbot Akpa village, a community not included in Cross River State Edict No. 1 (Clan Creation) of 1996, according to the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs’ investigations.
The letter of decertification also stated that Tabi’s action was a ruse to gain legitimacy through deceit and that Mbot Akpa is the same as Esuk Effiom Iyaweh in the Iko Eneyo Clan, Akpabuyo LGA.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Tabi was concurrently leading two clans in separate local government districts, a move his opponents have characterized as unlawful and unstable.
Five traditional rulers from the Ekonganaku Traditional Rulers Council petitioned for his removal in order to bring peace back to the community, and that action was taken against him.
Edet affirmed the ruling, emphasizing that the government could not ignore such wrongdoing and that the state’s traditional institutions must be recognized in the interest of peace and stability.
The overthrown king responded by claiming he had not yet received a formal letter.
Since I have not yet been served, I have nothing to say at this time. If the law declares it to be correct, there won’t be any issues after I’m served. “I’ll know what to do if it says it’s wrong,” Tabi said.
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