By Magnus Effiong
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 3 other Henshaw Town Chiefs.
Recall that the Commissioner of Police had, last month, in Suit No.No.MC/350c/2025 slammed a six-count charge on Justice Archibong, Chief Efanga Offiong, Chief Effangha Okon and Chief Andem Ekanem-Abasi
They were charged for intrusion into Esierebom land, destruction of plantain farm belonging to HRM Etubom Nyong Efiom Okon (Paramount Ruler of Calabar South), amongst other charges.
However, the Court, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 dismissed the case.
Our reporter reliably gathered that the dismissal was based on legal advice of the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
All criminal charges with respect to the communal land dispute in Henshaw Town, Calabar South, against Hon Justice Archibong (Rtd) and others, were dismissed and all arraigned by the Police discharged accordingly.
In a chat, Justice Archibong, who is the Etubom-elect of Effanga Offiong Royal House, expressed satisfaction over the handling of the matter, adding “We pray for calm and progress going forward.”
Efforts to speak with the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, HRM Etubom Okon, did not succeed as he could not respond to our reporter’s telephone calls.
Recall that a day to the dismissal of the said suit, the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, had urged the Paramount Ruler, who paid him a courtesy visit, to ensure all issues were amicably settled for peace to return to Henshaw Town.
“Leadership at all levels requires tolerance, dialogue, and compromise. Traditional institutions must set the example of peace and harmony for the people. If rulers fight among themselves, the community will suffer.
“I hereby charged the Paramount Ruler to set an example. Call your aggrieved people together in Henshaw Town and Calabar South Traditional Rulers Council and ensure that there is peace.
“We must live in harmony with one another. The traditional institution remains one of the strongest pillars of unity in Efik land and beyond and must remain so,” the Monarch had submitted.
