By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi State State High Court sitting in Lokoja has removed the Ohinoyi of Ebira land,, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed-Anaje with a charge on him to refrain from parading himself as the Ohinoyi and paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland..
Justice Salisu of Kogi High Court VI in his judgement on Monday charge in the suit Number HCO/05C/2024, filed by Dr Barnabas Adeku Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf and Abdulrahaam Suberu had in December challenged the appointment of Ahmed-Anaje
The plaintiffs had challenged the appointment by former governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Ojiah and the two others who were represented by Lawal Rabana (SAN) instituted thw suit against Gov. Ahmed Ododo; State Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ahmed-Anaje as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit.
In the case filed in Okene in December, 2024 before its transfer to Lokoja, the plaintiffs had pleaded with the court to declare the procedure adopted in appointment of the 3rd Defendant to the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland as wrongful, unlawful.
They also argued that the process was contrary to Procedure of Ascension to the Throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Edict No 3 of 1997, guiding the appointment of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The plaintiffs also sought a Declaration that the purported recommendation of the 3rd defendant by “Unknown King Makers” to the 1st Defendant as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland ran afoul of the law.
The action, they argued, was contrary to the clear provisions of Section 4(1) of Chiefs Appointment’s, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and, therefore, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
They also sought a Declaration that the purported Ohis who participated in the selection, recommendation and the process leading to the purported appointment of the 3rd Defendant as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland are non-existent, null and void.
They therefore urged the Court to issue an order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendant, by himself, agents, servants, privies or howsoever called from recognising, dealing with or according any rights or privileges to the 3rd Defendant as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The defendants had objected to the claims of the plaintiff, through their Counsels, Muiz Abdullahi and Zakari Abbas who asked the court to dismiss the case for lack of merit.
Justice Salisu, in his judgment, upheld the prayers of the claimants and ordered Ahmed-Anaje to vacate the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland pending a fresh selection by the king makers of the Ebiraland.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 70 candidates from four of the five eligible districts in Kogi, jostled for the stool of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi after the demise of His Royal Majesty (Dr) Ado Ibrahim at the age of 94 on October 29, 2023.
