Kogi Court Sacks Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland, Declares Throne Vacant

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has sacked the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Tijani Ahmed-Anaje and consequently declared the throne vacant.

In a judgment delivered in Lokoja, Justice Umar Salisu ordered Mr Ahmed-Anaje to stop parading himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

Furthermore, Justice Salisu, in upholding the claimants’ prayers, ordered Mr Ahmed-Anaje to vacate the royal seat of Ohinoyi pending a fresh selection by the authentic Kingmakers of Ebiraland

According to available reports, the plaintiffs, Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf and Abdulrahaam Suberu, had in December 2024 challenged the decision of immediate past Governor Yahaya Bello to appoint Mr Ahmed-Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland

The plaintiffs, represented by Lawal Rabana (SAN), had sued Governor Ahmed Ododo, the State Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi and Mr Ahmed-Anaje as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in the case which began in Okene before it was transfered to Lokoja.

In their plea, the three plaintiffs urged the court to make a declaration that the procedure adopted in appointing the 3rd Defendant to the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was wrongful and unlawful.

They also argued that the process was contrary to the Procedure of Ascension to the Throne of Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Edict No 3 of 1997 guiding the appointment of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

They also sought a DECLARATION that the purported recommendation of the 3rd defendant by unknown kingmakers to the 1st Defendant as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was contrary to the clear provisions of Section 4(1) Chiefs (Appointment, 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 Ohi’s 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 sought 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.

Governor Ododo, Mr Abdullahi and Mr Ahmed-Anaje had objected to the claims of the plaintiff, through their counsel, Muzi Abdullahi and Zakari Abbas, and had asked the court to dismiss the case for lack of merit.

Reports indicated that no fewer than 70 candidates jostled for the stool of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi before the purported emergence of Tijani Ahmed-Anaje which has now been quashed by the Court

The 70 eligible contestants, from four of the five eligible districts in Kogi: Okewe, Ohema, Erika, Aganiye and Adavi, were eventually screened by a Committee to replace the late Ado Ibrahim who died on 29th October 2024 at the age of 94.

Meanwhile, Governor Ododo, in reacting to the judgment, called for calm in the state, adding that the State Government was already reviewing the judgment with its counsel.

Speaking for the State government, the Attorney-General, Muzi Abdullahi, said the governor has instructed him to appeal against the court ruling.

According to him; “We are confident that there will be a reversal of the judgment. The citizens should exercise restraint not to do anything contrary to the Law.

“We don’t agree with the judgment because the judge didn’t consider some objections we raised before him.

“The judgment is neither here nor there. Tomorrow, by God’s grace. we are filing Notice and Grounds of appeal challenging the judgment of the court”. – With NAN report