The Paramount Ruler of Calabar South Local Government Area, Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon Ewa 1, has warned uncertificated village and clan heads in the area, especially in Efut, against the double sale of land to different persons, warning that his council will no longer tolerate such illegal activity as anyone caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The monarch, who is also the Chairman of Calabar South Traditional Rulers Council, gave the warning when the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Uwanse Police Station paid a courtesy visit to his palace in Calabar.

He stated that the act is not only detrimental to buyers but also creates tension and confusion in society, as well as negative impressions about traditional leaders.

He decried the activities of some individuals who claim to be traditional rulers, especially in Efut, hoist flags in front of their houses and take it upon themselves to sell portions of land to multiple buyers without the consent of the clan or village heads as well as his palace and then leave the problem for his council to resolve.

This situation, he noted, causes public attacks and criticism of traditional authorities, which must be stopped.

He further stated that once a piece of land is sold, the seller no longer owns it and selling it again to another person is considered theft.

The royal father urged public awareness of the warning and advised all prospective land buyers to verify the authenticity of property ownership with the state Ministry of Lands and the traditional rulers before concluding deals to avoid unnecessary problems.

While welcoming the DPO to his new area of assignment, the monarch, who noted the cordial working relationship his cabinet had enjoyed with his predecessor, enjoined him to sustain it to enable him to succeed.

The traditional ruler used the opportunity to congratulate the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for the giant strides recorded in his two years in office especially in the areas of infrastructural development across the state, payment of the backlog of gratuity owed pensioners for over 10 years and a robust working relationship the traditional institution enjoys with the government.

He observed that the governor’s performance over the past two years has led to significant improvements across critical sectors in the state, as well as attracted federal government projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Special Agro-Processing Zone project, which he described as transformational.

Earlier, the new Divisional Police Officer, DPO, CSP Smith Kaboson, stated that he was in the palace on a courtesy visit and also informed the monarch of his deployment as the DPO of Uwanse Police Division, Calabar South, which falls under his jurisdiction.

Before his redeployment, Kaboson was the Officer-in-Charge of the Rapid Response Squad in Cross River State.
Paramount Ruler of Calabar South LGA, Etubom Nyong Effiom OKON Ewa 1 (m), members of his cabinet with the new DPO, Uwanse Police Divisional Headquarters, Calabar, shortly after the visit.