Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has sacked the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed-Anaje.
Justice Umar Salisu gave the order in a judgment yesterday with a charge to Ahmed-Anaje not to parade himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
NAN reports that Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf and Abdulrahaam Suberu had in December, challenged the appointment of Ahmed-Anaje by former governor Yahaya Bello as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Represented by Mr Lawal Rabana (SAN), the plaintiffs sued Governor Ahmed Ododo, the Attorney-General, Muzi Abdullahi and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. as first, second and third defendants in the case which began in Okene before its transfer to Lokoja.
The three plaintiffs had pleaded with the court to make a declaration that the procedure adopted in appointing the third defendant to the throne of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was wrong and unlawful.
They also argued that the process was contrary to the Procedure of Ascension to the throne of the Ohinoyi, Edict No 3 of 1997guiding the appointment.
They also sought for a declaration that the purported recommendation of the third defendant by unknown kingmakers to the first defendant as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was contrary to the clear provisions of Section 4(1) Chieis (Appoininient, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and, therefore, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
“A declaration that the purported Ohinoyi who participated in the selection, recommendation and the process leading to the purported appointment of the third defendant are non-existent, null and void.”
They sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first and second defendant, by himself, agents, servants, privies or howsoever called from recognising, dealing with or according any rights or privileges to the third defendant as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Governor Ododo, Abdullahi and Ahmed-Anaje, had objected to the claims of the plaintiff, through their Counsels, Muzi Abdullahi and Zakari Abbas, and 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 pending a fresh selection by the kingmakers of Ebiraland.
NAN reports that no fewer than 70 candidates jostled for the stool of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
They were screened by a committee to replace the late Alhaji Ado Ibrahim who died on October 29, 2024 at the age of 94.
The 70 eligible contestants were from four of the five eligible districts in Kogi: Okewe, Ohema, Erika, Aganiye and Adavi.
Reacting to the judgment, Ododo called for calm in the state.
The Attorney-General, Mr Muzi Abdullahi, who spoke to NAN in Lokoja over the case, said the governor has instructed him to appeal against the court verdict.
“We are confident that there will be a reversal of the judgement. Citizens should exercise restraint not to do any contrary to the law.
“We don’t agree with the judgment because the judge did not consider some objections we raised before him.
“The judgment is neither here nor there.
“Tomorrow, by God’s grace, we will file notice and grounds of appeal challenging the judgment of the court,” the attorney-general said. NAN
