The plaintiffs and defendants involved in the lawsuit against the Traditional Rulers Council (TRC) Law in Akwa Ibom State have chosen to resolve their dispute through an out-of-court settlement. This decision was reached during the recent hearing of the case at the state High Court in Uyo.
The plaintiffs, consisting of Paramount Rulers from various local government areas, including Annang extraction, Urueffong Oruko, Okobo, Mbo, Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, Oron, and Udung Uko, expressed their willingness to seek an amicable resolution to the matter.
The defendants, which include the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, and the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Ntennyin Solomon Etuk, also agreed to explore the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.
During the hearing, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Ekpenyong Ntekim, along with six others in the legal team, requested the court’s permission to engage in settlement discussions and asked for a short adjournment for the parties to report on the progress made.
Ntekim stated that the application was based on the shared desire of all parties to find a resolution that would serve the best interests of everyone involved. They believed that an out-of-court settlement would be the most suitable approach.
The presiding judge, Justice Archibong, granted the request for a short adjournment, emphasizing the importance of sincere negotiations and a commitment to reaching a fair and just resolution. The case has attracted public attention and sparked debates due to the plaintiffs’ argument that the TRC Law infringes upon the rights and privileges of other traditional rulers in the state.
Justice Archibong, highlighted the notable aspect of the counsels’ arguments, which was their shared desire for peace and the settlement of the dispute. He emphasized that the procedural aspects of the application should not hinder the pursuit of a resolution.
Speaking to journalists, the plaintiffs’ counsels, Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim and Barrister Uyobong Jumbo Udom, expressed optimism about the prospects of a swift resolution due to the positive attitude displayed by the State Government. They also conveyed their gratitude to the court for granting the parties permission to explore an out-of-court settlement.
As the parties prepare for settlement discussions, there is hope that a compromise can be reached to address the concerns raised by the plaintiffs while promoting unity and effective governance among traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the traditional rulers and the overall governance of the state.
