Impersonation: Stop parading as Village Head – AKSG warns Sunny Ibanga
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon Udo Ekpenyong
A former chapter chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and frontline politician in the state, Chief Sunny Ibanga has been warned by the Akwa Ibom State Government to stop parading himself as the Village Head of Utu Ikot Ekpenyong in Ikot Ekpene LGA.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon Udo Ekpenyong said Chief Ibanga was selected by Kingmakers of his community in 2013 to replace the departed immediate past Village Head who was buried accordingly.
According to the Commissioner, Chief Ibanga dramatically refused the offer and duly issued a letter to that effect in 2014 only to turn around to parade himself as the Village Head few years later.
“Following the demise and subsequent burial of the Late Chief Udo Ekong Akpan, immediate past Village Head of Utu Ikot Ekpenyong, Chief Alfred A. Ekpo, JP, the family head of Nto Ikan on the 24th August, 2013 formally presented Chief Sunny Ibanga Umoh to other kingmakers and the entire village as the person selected to be the
Village Head.
“Ikot Ekpene Traditional Rulers Council having been satisfied with the
selection and presentation, forwarded the recommendation for
recognition and certification of Chief Sunny Ibanga Umoh as Village
Head, Utu Ikot Ekpenyong to the Ministry of Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs”, Hon Ekpenyong stated.
Continuing, he said: “The recommendation was received on 15th April, 2014 and having been devoid of dispute, it was accordingly processed and Certificate of Recognition was duly issued to Chief Sunny Ibanga Umoh.
“Upon issuance of Certificate of Recognition to him, he vehemently
refused to collect same and issued a letter entitled “Notification of
rejection of Certificate of Recognition issued to me by your
office” dated 27th October, 2014”.
The Commissioner said the Certificate of Recognition having been rejected was
accordingly revoked by His Excellency, the Governor in 2017, meaning Chief Sunny Ibanga Umoh is not the Village Head of Utu Ikot Ekpenyong. He said Chief Ibanga’s constant parading of himself as the Village Head of Utu Ikot
Ekpenyong amounts to impersonation and is punishable by law.
“Ikot Ekpene Traditional Rulers Council following the revocation of the
Certificate of Recognition issued to Chief Sunny Ibanga Umoh had
forwarded recommendation for recognition and certification in favour
of Otuekong (Dr.) Jimmy Akpan Essien as Village Head of Utu Ikot
Ekpenyong and same is being processed by my office.
“I therefore, use this medium to warn Mr. Sunny Ibanga Umoh to stop
further parading himself as the Village Head of Utu Ikot Ekpenyong and to
advise innocent members of the village and the public not to have any
dealing with him as the Village Head of Utu Ikot Ekpenyong in Ikot Ekpene
Local Government Area”, Hon Ekpenyong said.
