A leadership dispute over the village headship of Esuk Ekom community in Cross River State has taken a new turn after the legal department of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 6 Headquarters reportedly ruled that the matter does not constitute a criminal offence but a civil dispute that should be resolved in court.
The development followed a petition in which the Akamkpa Okoyong Clan Head and Ekpo Emmanuel Robert Orji were said to have accused Deno Enuo Dr. Okon Eyo Okon-Eyo of impersonation and of allegedly parading himself as the Village Head of Esuk Ekom I.
The petition was reportedly investigated during an interview session held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Zone 6 Police headquarters in Calabar.
However, after reviewing documents presented by the parties, the police legal department reportedly stated that it could not establish any criminal impersonation.
According to information made available to journalists, officials of the department said they had examined certificates issued by the Okoyong Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs recognizing Dr. Okon-Eyo as Village Head of Esuk Ekom I and another certificate recognizing Ekpo Emmanuel Robert Orji, also known as Ekpo Ita Eyo II, as Village Head of Esuk Ekom II.
The officials reportedly concluded that the existence of the two certificates suggested a dispute over traditional authority rather than a criminal act.
“They said they could not see any impersonation or illegality in the documents presented and advised that the matter be taken before a court of competent jurisdiction,” a source familiar with the proceedings said.
The dispute centres on the leadership of Esuk Ekom community in Odukpani Local Government Area.
Dr. Okon-Eyo, who holds the traditional title of Deno Enuo Grade I, maintains that he is the legitimate Village Head of Esuk Ekom I, citing a chieftaincy certificate issued on February 5, 2022 by the Okoyong Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.
He also presented documentation showing his participation in earlier screening exercises conducted by the Office of the Traditional Rulers Council in Odukpani.
According to him, the certificate recognizing his position was issued on the same date and signed by the same authority as that of the rival claimant.
The controversy has also been complicated by questions surrounding the recognition of Esuk Ekom as either a single community or two separate entities—Esuk Ekom I and Esuk Ekom II.
Sources involved in the dispute alleged that compensation payments linked to land matters were previously collected under the Esuk Ekom II designation before claims later emerged that only one Esuk Ekom community exists.
Other allegations raised in the dispute include claims relating to identity and traditional lineage within the Eyo Ekpo Royal Family.
Dr. Okon-Eyo, described as the Family Head of the Eyo Ekpo Royal Family, has argued that customary practices governing leadership selection in the family have been maintained for more than a century.
He also challenged the petition against him and urged those making the allegations to pursue their claims in court if they believe wrongdoing has occurred.
The dispute has generated debate within the Okoyong area, with some observers calling for clearer procedures in the issuance and recognition of traditional leadership certificates.
There are ongoing efforts to obtain official reactions from the Akamkpa Okoyong Clan Head, the rival claimant Ekpo Emmanuel Robert Orji, and the Okoyong Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs
Officials of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 6 command also had not issued an official statement on the matter.
The situation remains a developing story.
