AUGIE JSC (Delivering the Lead Ruling): The appellants challenged the nomination and selection of the 1st respondent as Obong of Calabar, in suit No. HC/102/2008; which they filed at High Court of Cross River State, Calabar.
The learned trial judge, Ogar, J., delivered his judgment on 30 January 2012, wherein he found in favour of the appellants and granted the seven reliefs sought, including a declaration that:
“The presentation and/or selection of the 4th defendant (i.e. the 1st respondent), who was chairman of the screening committee for the selection of a candidate for the stool of Obong of Calabar, as a candidate for the Obong of Calabar throne or purported selection of the 4th defendant as the Obong of Calabarelect is contrary to natural justice, equity and good conscience.”
Dissatisfied, the 1st set of respondents appealed to the court below - Appeal No. CA/C/97A/2012. In its judgment delivered on 4 July 2013, the court below ordered that the 1st applicant, who was not capped/in…