The Paramount ruler of Edepie community, His Royal Highness, Chief Shadrach Etivie, has warned against those intending to perpetrate unrest in the community following a radio publication by some persons announcing themselves as community rulers
The Edepie community in a statement signed by the Paramount ruler, HRH Shadrach Etivie and the community Secretary, Willington Unefien, noted that the said radio announcement was a mischievous attempt to throw the community into chaos, saying the content of the entire publication should be disregarded completely.
The Edepie leadership described the said radio announcement by former Chief Edwin Iti Otom, as the paramount ruler of Edepie community as criminal, which could lead to breakdown of law and order in the community
To set the record straight, Chief Shadrach Etivie maintained that Edepie community leadership dispute was put to rest by a judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Ebinyere Omukoro in suit no. YHC/220/2022, on the 25th October, 2023, where the court held that Chief Iti Edwin Otom tenure has elapsed and after which an election was conducted that produced HRH. Chief Etivie Shadrach as the paramount ruler for a term of 5 years
The statement clarified that same suit is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt division in CA/PH/21/2022 Between Chief Edwin Iti Otom and Chief Joseph Francis and His Royal Highness, Shadrach Etivie and six others.
The Paramount ruler of Edepie community, His Royal Highness, Chief Shadrach Etivie, appealed to all indigene and residents of Edepie community and the general public to disregard such action capable of thwarting the developmental efforts of the community.