‘Princewill, Still Kalabari King’

The news that the former Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, King Prof Theophilous J. T. Princewill has been dethroned by the Supreme Court as the Amanyanabo of Kalabari has been described as false and malicious.

The counsel to King T.J.T Princewill, Barrister Faye Dikio (SAN) while reacting to a newspaper report by one of the Port Harcourt-based papers, (not The Tide) last Friday, said there was no truth whatsoever in the publication which was only targeted at tarnishing the image of his client and also cause confusion and panic in the Kalabari Kingdom and beyond.

Barrister Dikio explained that what transpired in the proceedings of Appeal No SC.249/2011 before the Supreme Court on 25th of February, 2013, was not for hearing of the substantive suit, but an Appeal by Chief O.T.K.D Amachree as appellant against Chief MacDonald O Abbi, His Majesty, TJT Princewill, Chief Dagogo Princewill and Chief S.O Princewill.

He further explained that the Appellant filed two motions which were listed for that day.

According to him, one of the motions was for the striking out of the names of Chief Dagogo Princewill and Chief S.O Princewill who were deceased and other prayers.

Dikio said the prayer to strike out the names of the deceased respondents was granted and others were struck out upon withdrawal.

The counsel also informed the press that the second motion for leave to file additional grounds of appeal was also withdrawn to be refiled.

The counsel said His Majesty’s appeal No SC.248/2011 was not listed for the 25th of February 2013, and also not been heard due to many other appeals before it.

He, however, noted that the publication of 26th February succeeded more in causing panic among his people and subjected the king to anguish, pain and mental torture.

Barr.Dikio said his chambers has formerly written to the publisher to take urgent steps to retract the false story and state the true facts of the case to the public.