Stubbs Creek belongs to Ibeno, Ekid has no valid documents – Attorney

Emmanuel Ekponta

Amid the ongoing dispute over ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve between the oil-rich Ibeno and Ekid communities of Akwa Ibom State, Ibeno’s legal representative, Mr Diamond Akpanika, emphasised that peace can only be achieved through the presentation of credible, documented evidence.

Ekid elders had lamented that church leaders (Fathers of Faith), the traditional institution and other friends of Ekid had distanced themselves from their cry for justice, even as the state government had refused to be swayed by the threat of one Princess Udoito, who had resorted to invoking the traditional god of Ekid to fight their cause

Responding, Akpanika challenged the Ekid nation to produce documented proof of ownership of the large swathe of the forest reserve stretching across four LGAs in the state, instead of resorting to “historical falsehoods, outlandish fabrications, and a desperate bid to rewrite history.”

Speaking in an interview on Sunday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the veteran lawyer pointed out that Ekid, by resorting to seek help from the church, traditional institutions, and friends, “means there is no evidence to back up their spurious claims over the forest.”

“Let Eket tell the world who they are and where they came from. If Stubbs Creek Forest truly belongs to them, where is the proof? Please show us the receipts of royalties ever paid to Ekid by the government. Produce your documents or stop deceiving the people,” he stressed.

Akpanika, citing historians including Darin Ford (The History of Southern People) and Sir Udo Udoma (The Story of Ibibio Union), insisted that Ekid people migrated from Ibeno, before moving northwards, stressing that “no Ibibio ever lived by the Atlantic coast.”

He maintained that Ibeno, not Ekid, were the true coastal custodians who opened up the waterways for Portuguese and, thereafter, European traders, controlled markets, and received royalties from British traders.

He recounted firmly, “Every archival record confirms that royalties—be it £2, £30, or even £132 at the time—were paid exclusively to Ibeno. Ekid received nothing. If they challenge this, let them present solid documentary evidence. But I know they won’t, because such proof doesn’t exist.”

The counsel dismissed Ekid’s reliance on the Talbot map, reminding them that the only land Ekid obtained was 800 acres at Ntak Inyang, “a speck compared to thousands of hectares belonging to Ibeno.”

He, therefore, accused them of being opportunistic, maintaining that the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), their umbrella socio-cultural organisation, was hastily formed to annex Esit Eket in a ploy to build a false front against Ibeno.

Akpanika also revisited the colonial ordinances of 1930, 1937, and 1955, which he said clearly recognised Ibeno ownership.

He said: “The public is now aware that Ibeno are the true owners of the Stubbs Creek, which has increased Ekid’s frustration to the point of inciting ‘Fathers of Faith’ in the state against Ibeno, after a failed bid to get the support of the State Traditional Rulers Council.

“Ekid has also deployed other failed strategies, including sponsoring one Princess Udoito, a female witch-doctor, to conduct voodoo power against the governor.”

Akpanika added that, beyond all these, the state government remains very firm in resolving the crisis by proposing a peace committee, which, according to him, Ekid had rejected.