26 Million Naira Fraud: Mbikpong Atai Dethrones Village Head-elect

Eteidung Anwanabasi Archibong EtokAkpan, Village Head-elect of Mbikpong Atai village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has been dethroned on grounds of fraud and other criminal acts.

This is according to the kingmakers, family heads, elders, women and youths of the community who met on August 3, 2022, September 9, 2022 and January 1, 2023 to ratify his rejection and dethronement.

Communicating the decision to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, President Traditional Rulers Council, Clan Head of Ibesikpo, in a letter dated September 14, 2022, the community explained their decision was triggered by the deposed Eteidung's "acts of gross misconduct, betrayal of public trust, buying of stolen properties, illegal conversion of community property to his personal use, violation of his oath of office and extant provisions of the traditional rulers law of Akwa Ibom State, deficiency in moral and exemplary character and lack of leadership qualities expected of a village head."

Parts of the letter read: "Sometimes I'm March 2022, the village of Mbikpong Atai discovered that Eteidung Anwana in connivance with others received the sum of 26,858,580.00 Naira from the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources, Akwa Ibom State, being community interest payment over land acquired by the state government for the development of Dakkada Luxury Estate. When the community asked Eteidung Anwanabasi to clarify on the issues surrounding the money, he denied having any knowledge of the above stated sum even though his passport photograph and signature were seen attached to the payment acknowledgment receipt.

"Thus, the Mbikpong Atai community wrote petitions to EFCC and Police State CID Ikot Akpan Abia to investigate the matter. Eteidung Anwanabasi and others were arrested by the Police and detained before being released on bail. But after he and five others were released on administrative bail, Eteidung Anwanabasi in conjunction with his co-conspirators wrote a petition against all the Family Heads of Mbikpong Atai, the co-conspirators wrote a petition to Police Zonal Headquarters, Zone 6, Calabar, against all the family heads of Mbikpong Atai, the Chairman of the village council, legal adviser and many others and elders of the village who tried to unravel the truth behind the money.

"The Family heads, Elders and other officials of the village were arrested on the 2nd of September, 2022 and taken to Police Headquarters Zone 6, Calabar, over false and spurious allegations that they are cultists and vandals who are fomenting trouble and threatening the life and property of the
Suspects involved in the money scandal. Yet, the culprits were unable to substantiate their malicious allegations and the matter was dismissed on the 14 of September 2022. As a result, for over 5 months now since the
above allegations were leveled against Eteidung Anwana, he has failed to
attend Mbikpong Atai executive and general village council meetings till date. It is on the basis of above allegations bordering on criminal tendencies, unruly behavior, lack of decorum and conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, division and rancour in the community that informed our resolution to suspend Anwanabasi Archibong Etok."

The letter also accused the deposed Eteidung of converting stolen palm fruits to personal use, sale of stolen palm fruits, threat to life, destruction of people's properties among other allegations.

A letter of Withdrawal of Consent to the appointment of Anwanabasi Archibong EtokAkpan as village Head-elect addressed to the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, dated October 17, 2022, was made available to reporters.

It also announced that the deposed Eteidung has been substituted by Chief Edet Nyong Etok.

The community also warned the deposed Anwanabasi Archibong to stop parading himself as village head. He was further warned to desist from breaching public peace in the community.

Counsel to the family heads of the community, Michael Edet Akpan Esq of Hisgrace Legal Consult, in a letter dated December 2022 notified Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the deposed Eteidung's effort at plunging the village into chaos and demanded that in the interest of justice, fairness and peace, he should not be recognized and certified by the state government as bonafide head of the community.

The 7 family heads and officials in a resolution dated January 2, 2023, equally appealed to the Governor to set aside his recognition as village head. They are Obong Edem E. Bassey, family head, Nung Afia; Obong Edet E. Abraham, Family Head, Nung Uduak; Obong Boniface O. Matthew, family head, Nung Etok Ekpo; Obong Edem A. Udo, family head, Nung Ankara; and Obong Effiong E. Peter, family head, Nung Nkek.

Others are Obong Joshua Tom Akai, family head, Edem Ibok; Anthony S. Hanson, Secretary, Mbikpong Atai; Michael E. William, Chairman, Mbikpong Atai village council; Bassey Edem Akai, High Priest (Obong Ndutim) and Aniefiok Edet Ebong, Youth Chairman, Mbikpong Atai.

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