Governor Vows to Appeal as Kogi Court Nullifies Ohinoyi of Ebiraland's Appointment"

By Ahmed Dan Asabe Lokoja 

Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has nullified the appointment of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed-Anaje. Justice Umar Salisu delivered the judgment, ordering Ahmed-Anaje to immediately stop parading himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

The court's decision followed a suit filed by Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf, and Abdulrahaam Suberu, who sought the removal of Anajeh on the grounds that his appointment and installation as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland by former Governor Yahaya Bello did not follow due process.

Notably, Ahmed-Anaje was appointed from a pool of about 70 contestants who vied for the stool of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi State, following the demise of the former occupant, Late Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, in October 2023.

The plaintiffs argued that the procedure adopted in appointing Ahmed-Anaje was wrongful and unlawful, contrary to the Procedure of Ascension to the Throne of Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Edict No 3 of 1997.

In his judgment, Justice Salisu 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.

Reacting to the judgment, Governor Ahmed Ododo called for calm in the state, while the state Attorney-General, Mr. Muzi Abdullahi, announced plans to appeal the verdict. "We are confident that there will be a reversal of the judgment," Abdullahi said. "We don't agree with the judgment because the judge didn't consider some objections we raised before him."