Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, has been ordered by a High Court sitting in Calabar, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ayade, to reinstate the deposed Muri Munene of the Efuts and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, HRH Itam Hogan Itam.
Recall that Itam’s certificate of recognition was withdrawn sometime in May over allegations that the monarch attended a political meeting in the home of former governor Donald Duke in Calabar, something he denied.
In suit No: HC/MSC154/2022, the judge ruled that the applicant was not given a fair hearing by the panel set up to investigate his alleged presence at the political meeting.
Before delivering his judgement, Justice Ayade reviewed the submissions of the counsels for both parties and upheld the arguments of the applicant’s counsel who likened the monarch’s removal, with no opportunity to defend himself to “a palace coup,” a situation which he says “violates the principles of natural justice.” The court therefore, ordered that the monarch recognition be immediately restored.
In his reaction, the monarch thanked the judge for upholding the truth, and pledged to work for peace within his immediate domain and beyond.
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