Two Days After Ruler's Murder, Akpabio Suspends 3 Monarchs
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 01, (THEWILL) – Two days after the murder of a prominent traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom State, HRM, Edidem Robert James Obot, the state Government today announced the suspension of 3 monarchs for acts of indiscipline and rebellion to authority.
The traditional rulers affected are from Nsit Ubium local government area of the state.
A statement from the Commissioner for Local and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Paul Ekpo in listed the Head of Ubium, Edidem Okon Udo Akpan, Village Head of Akai Ubium,
Obong N. D. Akpanowo and Village Head of Ikot Obio Iton, Obong Emmanuel O. J. Isoh, as those to proceed on a 6-month suspension without pay.
The statement also ordered them to stop parading themselves as traditional rulers.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has directed security agencies in the state to ensure that they apprehend perpetrators of the murder of Obot in order to bring them to justice.
Akpabio stated this when the delegation of the Paramount Rulers from the state led by the Chairman of the state’s Council of Chiefs, Okuku Uwa Umo Adiaka paid him a condolence visit in Government House, Uyo following on the death of Edidem Obot.
THEWILL was unable to confirm if the suspended traditional rulers played a role in the death of the Obot. But while condemning the dastardly act, Akpabio emphasized that the suspended rulers have been bared from parading themselves as Clan Head and Village Head announcing that government would reward anyone who volunteers information that would lead to the arrest of those who killed the Obot.
Earlier the Chairman of the state’s Council of Chiefs and Paramount Ruler of Obot Akara Local Government Area, Okuku Uwa Umo Adiaka appealed to indigenes of the state to assist security agencies in their quest arrest Obot’s killer(s).
Also, a member representing Uyo Senatorial District at the Senate and an indigene of the area, Senator Effiong Bob while reacting to the killing called on the security agencies to invoke their professionalism in combating crime and bring culprits before the law, as it would serve as a deterrent to others.