Chief Tony Ene Asuquo
(1966 – August 15, 2006)
Chief Tony Ene Asuquo was a Nigerian political activist and the leader of the Bakassi Movement for Self-Determination, a group that sought the independence of Bakassi following Nigeria's agreement to cede the territory to Cameroon.
Life and Career
Chief Ene Asuquo came to national and international attention on August 6, 2006, when his group publicly declared its intention to seek independence for Bakassi. This move followed:
- Nigeria’s loss of a territorial dispute with Cameroon at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- The Nigerian government's plan, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, to implement the Greentree Agreement, which required the formal transfer of Bakassi to the Cameroonian military
Legal Challenge
Prior to his death, Ene Asuquo was involved in a Supreme Court case that challenged the Greentree Agreement. The plaintiffs included:
- Chief Orok Eneyo
- Chief Emmanuel Effiong Etene
- Ndabu Eyo Umo Nakanda
- Emmanuel Okokon Asuquo
- Ita Okon Nyong
- Richard Ekpenyong
- Chief Tony Ene Asuquo
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, affirming that the federal government could not cede Nigerian territory without legislative approval. However, the Federal Government refused to recognize or enforce the judgment.
Death
On August 15, 2006, Chief Tony Ene Asuquo died in a car accident along the Calabar-Itu Road while en route to Calabar. He was traveling to petition the Cross River State Government for the release of Richard Ekpenyong, who had been detained by the State Security Service (SSS) on the orders of Governor Donald Duke.
- The accident resulted in the death of 21 people, including Ene Asuquo.