Court throws out land case against retired judge

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

A Calabar Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Edmon Ujong has dismissed a case against a retired High Court Judge, Justice Charles Archibong and two other chiefs of Henshaw Town, in Calabar, Cross River State.

The retired judge, who is also the Etubom-elect of Effanga Offiong Royal House of Calabar was slammed with a six-count charge alongside Chief Efanga Offiong and Chief Andem Ekanem-Abasi by the State Police Commissioner, Rashid Afegbua.

The Case which had as Suit No. MC/350C/2025 bordered on the intrusion into Esierebom land and destruction of a plantain farm belonging to the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, HRM Etubom Nyong Efiom Okon.

The Magistrate Court dismissed the case based on the legal advice of the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Justice Archibong expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, calling for calm and progress.

Efforts to reach the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South for comment were unsuccessful.

The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, had urged parties to ensure the issues were amicably settled for peace to return to Henshaw Town.

He emphasized the importance of leadership, tolerance, dialogue, and compromise in maintaining peace and harmony.