Etubom Traditional Council of the palace of Obong of Calabar has set up a seven-member independent truth and reconciliation committee in keeping with the intervention of the state governor on the dispute over the revered throne of Obongship.
According to the Etubom Traditional Rulers Council, the committee is headed by a retired chief judge of the state, Justice Michael Edem, and the committee is to among other things independently look into the immediate and remote causes that trailed the dispute over the Supreme Court judgement of January 2023 on the contention for the throne of Obongship in Efik Kingdom.
The committee is also tasked with the responsibility of establishing truth while also facilitating reconciliation between the parties involved in the Obong of Calabar succession dispute.
A press statement issued by the Etubom Traditional Council of the palace of obong of Calabar stated that the committed is not expected to carry out a judicial review of the Supreme Court judgement or adjudicate on the matter, but rather should display utmost integrity with respect to the culture and tradition of the Efik people in the course of their assignment.
The setting up of the committee, which is as a result of the intervention of the state governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, directing parties involved in the dispute to sheath their sword and demonstrate respect to the judicial pronouncement of the Supreme Court, listed other members of the committee to include a former deputy governor of the state, Barr Efiok Cobham, a retired AIG E. Ene Okon, a serving reverend of the presbyterian church, Rev. Ubong E, Eyo PhD, Barr. Rosemary Archibong and High Chief Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong.
The press statement, which was endorsed by the secretary, Etubom Traditional Council of the Obong of Calabar palace, HRH Etinyin Ekpo O Archibong, stressed that the committee is expected to carry out its assignment in an unbiased and confidential manner.
