By Idongesit Ashameri - Correspondent, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State government says any certified traditional ruler, found guilty of invoking the “prohibited juju” (Mbiam) will automatically lose his recognition and risk three years imprisonment.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, who gave this order recently, said invocation of juju (mbiam) is a crime punishable under section 211 of the criminal code.
Etuk who further warned village heads to abandon the practice of fixing traditional injunctions like palm front (eyei) on people’s land as a means of compelling them to pay ‘‘development levy” before erecting structures on their land, said the ministry will not hesitate to invoke relevant sections of the law to punish traditional rulers found to have contravened the law. He pointed out that the misuse and abuse of traditional injunctions by village heads and their subjects have impeded development as well as stir conflict in communities.
The local government and chieftaincy commissioner said as custodians of customs and traditions of the people, traditional rulers should consider ways of attracting development partners to their communities instead of putting up barriers using traditional injunctions.
While noting that chieftaincy disputes and litigations have significantly reduced, Etuk disclosed that the ministry has set up machinery to guard against frivolous and unnecessary chieftaincy tussles as the state government is working on modalities to identify existing family heads to forestall fraudulent claims by impersonators. He however assured that the verification has nothing to do with payment of stipends to the family heads.
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