Kuteb Elders Sue Taraba Governor Over Appointment Of Chiefs

Elders of Kuteb ethnic group in Takum local government area of Taraba State have sued the state governor, the state government and the attorney-general of the state before the High Court, Jalingo over the appointment of three third class chiefs and the proposed appointment of a first class chief of Takum on rotational basis. 

In an originating summons the plaintiffs, Sule Audu, Auwal Ibrahim and Rimamnyang Boyi Ahmadu Barrister, through their counsel, Festus Idepefo (SAN) urged Justice Ali Bappa Abbare of the Jalingo High Court to declare that the Taraba State Establishment of One Rotational First Class Chief and Three Third Class Chiefs Law No. 01 of 2024 did not establish new chiefdoms in Takum.

They also sought a declaration of the court that the said law did not establish the office or stool of chief of Takum of first class grade to which a person can be appointed.

The suit also sought a declaration of the court that the law did not create the stool or office of chief of Takum who can be appointed as president-in-council of the Takum Traditional Council.

They further asked for a declaration that the law did not establish the stool of’ “Gar” Chamba, “Tsohon” Jukun and “Kwe” Kuteb Takum to which any person can be appointed.

The applicants also prayed for a declaration that there exists the stools or offices of “Gar” Chamba, “Tsohon” Jukun and “Kwe” Kuteb Takum to constitute membership of Takum Traditional Council established by the provisions of section 3 (1) (a) of the law of 2024.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to make a declaration that the law did not abolish the stool or office of Ukwe Takum.

They asked the court to declare that the provisions of section 18 of the new law did not override the provision of all extant laws relating to the existence and recognition of Ukwe Takum.

Idepefo asked for an order restraining the defendants from interfering with the stool and palace of Ukwe Takum which evolved for native laws and customs of Kuteb people.

He also prayed the court to restrain the defendants from demolishing the palace of Ukwe Takum or taking any step to wipe away the Ukwe Takum palace.

Idepefo said the court should restrain the defendants from interfering or exhuming the remains of past Ukwe Takum namely:  Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe, Hassan Gankwe, Ibrahim Zorto Audu Gankwe and Ali Ibrahim Kuffang 11 from their graves in the premises of Ukwe Takum Palace.

The suit finally sought an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants from appointing any person into any of the offices listed as members of the Takum Traditional Council by section 3 (1) (a) of the Taraba State Establishment of One Rotational First Class Chief and Three Third Class Chiefs Law No 01 of 2024 as no chiefdom is created for their existence by the said law.