EKENGE CRISIS: PDP Chieftain, Bobby Ekpenyong Apologizes To Chief Emmanuel Etok After Court Asked Him To Pay N10M Damages
By Jimmy Jackson
The Former Director General, Cross River State Maritime Agency, Hon Bobby Ekpenyong has officially apologize to Chief Emmanuel Etok in writing following a judgment order by Hon. Prof. Victor Offiong, a presiding High Court judge, Odukpani division.
Chief Emmanuel Etok, in suit number HC/15f/2021, had dragged Hon. Bobby Ekpenyong, the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services, as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively before a high court, Odukpani division, over the violation of his fundamental human right, illegal arrest and detention among other reasons.
Chief Etok had accused the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants of harassment, illegal detention and torture over a chieftaincy tussle in Ekenge community, Okoyong in Odukpani LGA.
According to Chief Etok, Hon. Bobby had engaged the services of the Nigerian Army and the DSS to harass, arrest, torture and unlawfully detain him.
Delivering his judgement, His Lorship, Prof. Justice,V.A Offiong ordered that Hon. Bobby Ekpenyong and the Nigerian Army to pay as damages, the sum of N10million to Chief Etok.
Justice Offiong also ordered the 2nd and 3rd defendants to refrain from harassing or arresting the plentiff.
Meanwhile, sequel to the court judgement, Hon. Bobby Ekpenyong has tendered a letter of apology to Chief Emmanuel Etok. 
The PDP chieftain in a letter seen by this paper said “I apologise to you as ordered by the court in the suit number stated above”
He went further to say, “please do accept my unreserved apology as I look forward to in joining hands with you to work for the development of our community”
The crisis that rock Ekenge village, Okoyong, in Odukpani LGA of Cross River State according to sources familiar with it, said that the disagreement was between the Ekpenyong Ekpenyong and Edem Ekpenyong families.
Chief Emmanuel Etok who is an advocate for peace, believes that the judgment and the apology will bring long lasting peace and development in Ekenge Community as indicated by Hon. Bobby Ekpeyong.
