By Okerafor Athanasius, Jalingo
A socio-cultural group in Taraba State which is under the aegis of Takum Chamba Socio-cultural Development Association, has applauded the pronouncements made by the Appeal Court over a chieftaincy dispute in Takum Local Government Area (LGA).
The socio-cultural group said the court’s decision to order a retrial of the appeal filed by the Kuteb against the Taraba state government and the Chamba ruling clan of Takum,was a welcome development.
The group through a press statement issued to journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, by its spokesperson, Sawariga Dauda, lauded the decision made on March 5, 2025, at the Appeal Court in Yola which ordered that Appeal No. CA//YL/120/2024 be remitted to the Taraba State High Court for trial de novo before another judge nominated by the State Chief Judge.
The group expressed optimism that justice will be served, given the evidence and historical records that will be presented before the court.
Dauda added that the Chamba people are well-prepared to defend their position, having successfully presented their case in the first suit.
“We are not worried about the decision of the Appeal Court which ordered for a retrial. Moreover, we are not appealing but defending our position as the owner of Takum chieftaincy stool.
“So, we have our historical records and facts as earlier presented to the High Court in Jalingo which first gave us victory; we shall still re-present them to any Judge assigned to the case once again.
“We are optimistic of another round of victory because we have records to yet validate our claims to the throne and ever ready to comply with the High Court in Jalingo once again,” Dauda stated.
The development is the latest in the ongoing Takum chieftaincy dispute, which has seen the Kuteb people contesting the Chamba ruling clan’s claim to the throne.
The Chamba socio-cultural group had previously argued that they have a right to the rulership of Takum, citing historical records and the fact that both the Chambas and Kutebs have taken turns to rule the ancient town.
The dispute has been on for some time, with the Kutebs rejecting a rotation arrangement proposed by the Taraba state government, which would allow the Chamba, Kuteb, and Kpanzu peoples to take turns in ruling the town.
