Calabar, Nigeria – The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, has approved the immediate suspension of His Highness (Chief) Okon Archibong Eke, the Village Head of Esuk Utan, alongside the entire Esuk Utan Village Council.
This decision, contained in a press release issued by Nsa Gill, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, on Friday, follows allegations levelled against the village head and the council.
The release read, “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the immediate suspension of HH (Chief) Okon Archibong Eke, the Village Head of Esuk Utan Village, with the entire Esuk Utan Village, Council.
“The Calabar Municipal Traditional Rulers Council is hereby mandated to investigate the allegations labelled against HH (Chief) Okon Archibong Eke and the Esuk Utan Village Council and send a report on its findings and recommendations to the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, within one week of this press release.
“The Obutong Clan Council is mandated to set up a five-man committee to manage the affairs of Esuk Utan Village pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Members of the public living or operating businesses in Esuk Utan are advised to go about their normal activities and cease all dealings with HH Chief Okon Archibong Eke and his council.”