Since after the Port Harcourt High Court’s ruling on the 16th May, 2016 that set aside the installation of King (Prof) T.J.T Princewill as the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, the Amachree XI, the Kalabari Council of Chiefs is sharply divided.
Precisely on the 6th June, 2016 the Kalabari Se Kobiri (Kalabari National Assembly) addressed a letter entitled “Call To Refute False Claim Of Successful Prosecution of Suit No. PHC/624/2002 Celebration Of Self Proclaimed Amanyanaboship” to Chief MacDonald Oribo Abbi, one of the contestants to the revered King Amachree ancient throne, and the winner of the 16th May, 2016, High Court judgment.
The said letter which was jointly signed by Chief C.P.D Amachree Oruwari-gbani III, Chief F.F. Higgwe, Chief J. B. Tom Iboroma V and Chief Barr. Ibim M.T.C Briggs, threatened to impose “serious sanctions” against Chief Abbi for issuing a press statement.
When our correspondent contacted Chief Abbi on the telephone he has this to say: In the publication of “The Wind” newspaper of 8-14 June, 2016, some Chiefs of Kalabari Sekobiri (Kalabari National Assembly), made certain allegations against you, and if you don’t respond within 7 days, severe sanctions would be imposed against you, what have you to say on it?
“Yes, a few days ago, some well-meaning Chiefs of Kalabari Kingdom have brought the publication to my attention, the so-called publication is mischievous and done in bad faith, and it is purely an attempt to tarnish my image. I have not gone to my home town, Buguma, this year to attend any gathering whatsoever to address myself as the Amanyanabo of Kalabari. Indeed, I am not Amanyanabo of Kalabari yet. I was brought up at home, and I have been a Kalabari Chief at the highest level for 46 years, the longest serving Chief in Kings Abbi Royal House and Karibo Group of Houses of Buguma, and perhaps, in the Kalabari Kingdom. I am quite conversant with the Kalabari custom and tradition; and I have never taken any step against the custom and tradition of the Kalabari people.
It is of a fact that I am one of the five contestants to the vacant stool of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari since after the demise of his blessed memory, late King Obaye Abbiye-Suku Amachree on 7 June, 1998. The revered stool had been vacant since 1998. Kalabari Kingdom has no authentic and accredited Amanyanabo of Kalabari since 1998. By the grace of God, at the inception of the contest, the five contestants are still in the race, and a new Amanyanabo of Kalabari would emerge from them in due time. They are as follows:
Chief (Barr.) MacDonald Oribo Abbi, Chief (Dr.) Basoene Abbiye-Suku Amachree, Chief (Engr.) Inye Cottone Charlie Amachree, Chief (Engr.) Faithful Abbiye-Suku Amachree, and Chief (Prof.) Theophilus Jacob Tom Princewill.
The illegal installation and the recognition of Chief (Prof.) T.J.T. Princewill, who purportedly installed himself as the Amanyanabo of Kalabari on 23rd March, 2002 had been set aside by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/PH/19/2007 on 23 May, 2011, and the application to the Supreme Court in Appeal case No. SC/249/2011 for an order staying execution of the decision of the Court of’ Appeal in case No. CA/PH/19/2007 was shamefully withdrawn at the ‘Supreme Court by the Applicant and the application was struck out by the Supreme Court on 25th February, 2013, with costs of N100, 000.00 (One hundred thousand naira) to the Respondent (Chief MacDonald Oribo Abbi). This is a final and subsisting judgment, and accordingly, Chief (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill ceased to see or address himself as the Amanyanabo of Kalabari from 23rd May, 2011. The writers of the advertorial in “The Wind” newspaper are the creation of Chief (Prof.) T.J.T. Princewill, the usurper of the stool of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari for l4years, so they have no locus standi, not even their sponsor Chief (Prof.) TJ.T Princewill), to write such an unreasonable letter to me when they know fully well ‘that the issue of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari is still in various courts. The well informed minds should properly advise them that the threat of their so-called “serious sanctions” does not arise in this circumstance.
The allegation is strange to me and to all people of goodwill who knew me as a person who does not thrive in frivolities. The allegation is baseless, frivolous and without any substance.
The publication is done with the ulterior motive to bring the attention of the public of undue importance and relevance to certain persons in the Amanyanabo of Kalabari issue. The advert should be discountenanced”
Thank you, Chief, it is well spoken of. As a High Chief of 46 years standing in the Kalabari Kingdom, and a frontline contender to the vacant stool of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, what have you to say to the Kalabari people?
“What the Kalabari people are passing through today is really sad and unfortunate. The period from 2000 to 2016 is the darkest period in Kalabari history. What has happened has happened, and every beginning has an end. I believe our crisis would soon be over. The Kalabari people should keep their faith alive in God Almighty. The Most Merciful God has the solutions to all problems. Kalabari people should be prayerful, hoping and believing that their problems would soon be over in Jesus’ Name. Amen”.
Thank you, Sir, an Elder in the LORD’S vineyard.
