Yuletide: Eno Warns Ekpo Worshippers As Court Adjourns Trial To Dec 19

Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has warned that no violence of any sort would be tolerated during the Christmas and New Year festivities. He insisted that the ban on masquerade activities was not absolute, but a regulation aimed at restricting them to village squares instead of streets and major highways.

According to the governor, his Executive Order (EO) banning the activities of the Ekpo masquerades, was not to trample on the cultural and religious rights of its adherents, but to ensure no group violates the rights and privileges of others in the society.

He explained that traditionalists who use the masquerade as a symbol of worship were free to do so, but within village squares or some confined areas to avoid disrupting public peace.

Governor Eno offered the explanations in his remarks at the funeral of the late Mrs Rose Linus Okon, held at the state’s Cenotaph in Uyo, the capital at the weekend.

“I have not banned masquerades in the state. I only banned masquerades from the streets to stop them from continuing to be a threat to the lives of citizens and residents of the state.

“They are free to worship their Ekpo religion, but this must be confined to the squares within villages or their communities.

Let their activities not infringe on the freedom of movement and the lives of others. Otherwise, they will face the law and be prosecuted accordingly,” he vowed.

“While everyone has the right to freedom of worship, no one should allow his or her freedom of worship to affect the freedom of movement of others”, the governor warned

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‎Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the premises of Magistrate Court 1, Fulga Road, off Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, was heavily tensed up as people gathered in large numbers to witness an unprecedented case – the arraignment of an Ekpo masquerade, a figure traditionally revered, but now standing trial for alleged misconduct.

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‎According to the motion for remand brought under Section 292 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of the state, 2022, the Ekpo masquerade was arrested and charged with terrorism and disturbance of public peace, a development that sparked outrage from other Ekpo initiates.

Seated handcuffed in the Courtroom in full masquerade regalia, the defendant became the centre of attraction as murmurs filled the courtroom, with occasional warning against being arrested for contempt.

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‎While many expected the matter to be straightforward, the proceedings took a dramatic turn when Barrister Ekom Nwoko, known for his firm grasp of the law, rose from the Bar. Nwoko and Co Chambers, who had come to court for a different matter, announced his decision to represent the defendant pro bono.

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‎His intervention, LEADERSHIP learnt, immediately changed the narrative of the trial as Barr. Nwoko, prayed the Court to consider the cultural context surrounding Ekpo masquerades, arguing that the allegations did not meet the legal threshold required to remand the defendant in a Correctional facility.

He stressed the need to distinguish cultural practices from criminal intent, and referred the Court to Section 293 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Akwa Ibom State, 2022, urging the court to determine whether there was any probable cause to remand the defendant.

He further requested that the Court invoke Section 294 of the same law to grant bail to the defendant, noting the lack of evidence to support the allegations.

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‎He also asked the court to thoroughly examine the affidavit filed by the prosecution, which, according to him, disclosed no reasonable or probable cause to justify remanding the defendant, especially since the alleged offence did not amount to terrorism.

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‎After considering his arguments, the Chief Magistrate granted bail to the Ekpo masquerade, a ruling that brought visible relief to those present and fellow initiates.

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‎In a key directive, the Police Prosecutor was ordered to file a formal charge against the defendant, as the motion for remand was deemed inappropriate for the alleged offence.

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‎However, the matter has been adjourned to December 19, 2025, for further hearing as the Court prepares to review the charges.

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