Justice Archibong Arraign In Court for Criminal Charges

BY: EDEM ARCHIBONG, CALABAR

A retired Federal High Court Judge who was based in Lagos, Justice Charles Archibong has been arraigned before a Calabar Chief Magistrate Court for criminal charge of six count charges which he pleaded not guilty as charged.

The case which bears charge No.MC/350c/2025 dated 19/8/2025 before Chief Magistrate Edmon Ujong reads in count one. that retired Justice Charles Archibong “did conspires with one Andem Abasi Ekeng and others now at large to commit felony to wit: Threatens violence And thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap c16, Vol. 3, Laws of Cross River State 2004”.

In count No.2, Justice Archibong “at Esierebom Autonomous Community, Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, within the Magisterial Districts, “did threaten His Highness (Engr. Chief Ededem Richard Henshaw) with Matches and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 86(1) (2) of the criminal Code, Cap C16, Vol.3, Laws of Cross River State,2004”.

For count 3, he “did enters in a land being in actual and peaceful possession of the Esierebom Autonomous Community without their consent”, while in count 4, is alleged that he the retired Justice Charles Archibong, “did wilfully and unlawfully destroys some plantain plants which is the property of His Royal Majesty (Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon)” who is the present Paramount Ruler of the Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State.

In count 5, he “did conducts himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace when he enters in a land owned by the Esierebom Autonomous Community and cleared it for the purpose of killing and selling of cow without a lawful authority given to him” while count No.6 said that, he “did unlawfully assaulted His Highness (Engr. Chief Ededem Richard Henshaw) by using his walking stick to hit on his body, an act he knew is wrongful”.

The presiding Chief Magistrate Edmon Ujong granted bail to the former and retired Federal High Court Judge while the case was adjourned to 6th September, 2025 for hearing.