Akpan is the community police organ that enforces the decisions of the community. Their members are appointed from each compound and are charged with the investigation, arraignment and adjudication of all matters both civil and criminal, as well as the enforcement of all decisions reached by the council.
Once a defaulter is ascertained, the Akpan would match in a single file to his (defaulter’s) home to arrest him. The defaulter would be asked to pay the “Imanzu” fee (summons fee). Non compliance is rare. Should this happen, Akpan would leave their “Nkwa Akpan” (drum) by the entrance of the defaulter’s family head. This usually has dire consequences and the defaulter would be said to have carried Akpan on his head – “o buru le Akpan isi”. All male family members would be considered to have defaulted and would be collectively punished should they fail to pressure the defaulter into compliance. In some cases, in addition to leaving their drum behind, they could seize any property within the vicinity irrespective of the owner, mounting further pressure on the defaulter to comply.
Akpan is held in awe. When they are marching in a single file with their drums, no one would dare to cross them. It is common sight to see people move far away from them, or stand at attention with arms by their sides and face straight with no smiles. Sudden movements might be construed to mean affront to Akpan with consequences dire.
Should a male that has attained the Otuomu age pass away, the Akpan would be consulted so they become part of the burial rites. This is one of the rare occasions that the Akpan masquerade would be seen in all his elegance and fearsomeness. Dressed in a large free flowing gown, the surreal and eerie looking two-faced masquerade, “Ekpe Akpan” assisted by a mate, would move around with its machete and sacrificial cock in tow. The frightful look was a symbol of that signified the arrival of the long dead ancestors, and this belief, if nothing, would strike a most chilling fear and dread into souls of all beholders.
The leadership of Akpan “Ezie Akpan”, rotates among certain compounds known as “Otusi”. These are compounds not holding “Ofo” as both would not normally be in the same compound at the same time.