A Rivers State Customary Court sitting in Bonny has dissolved the Elders Council of Jumbo House in Grand Bonny Kingdom, ruling that the body is merely advisory and lacks constitutional authority to operate without a Paramount Chief.
The presiding judges, S.C. Jumbo and I.I. Hamlet, who delivered the verdict in suit number: BNCC/RS/6/2026 on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, also declared that the Jumbo House Constitution of 1971 remains “operating document regulating the governance and administration of Jumbo House of Grand Bonny Kingdom”.
The court, however, declined to determine who should administer the House in the interim and whether “Jumbo House” could be used interchangeably with “Jumbo Main House” or “Jumbo Major House.”
Reacting to the judgment, the Chief and Head of Dan-Jumbo War Canoe House, Chief Clinton Ibiwari Gibson Dan-Jumbo, Jene IV, in an address on Friday, October 16, hailed the judgment, describing it as a “partial victory”, adding that “I respect and accept this ruling and shall comply fully with it”.
He renewed his calls for the emergence of a substantive Paramount Chief for Jumbo House, expressing the optimism that this would end the House’s prolonged leadership crisis.
Chief Dan-Jumbo expressed confidence that the lacuna in leadership would be closed at the “Okrika High Court, where relevant documents had been filed”, adding that the Amanyanabo-in-Council also has the power to delegate a Se-Alabo to supervise a House in Bonny Kingdom.
The revered traditional ruler said the ruling offered the House an opportunity to end what he characterised as the prolonged exploitation of the House by a few individuals, while denying allegations that he was seeking to control the House or influence the choice of its next Chief, insisting that his objective was its restoration and progress.
Dan-Jumbo also disclosed that his lawyers had written to banks to suspend transactions on Jumbo House accounts, citing what he described as significant financial challenges facing the House, declaring that any further actions or transactions by the Elders Council are illegal, null and void, warning companies, government and traditional institutions to be wary of engaging with the said Elders Council.
Calling for the responsible management of its assets and resources, including investment in education, scholarships and opportunities for future generations, Chief Dan-Jumbo thanked elders who had supported his position and women of Burukiri who, he said, had urged him to help restore the House and facilitate the emergence of a substantive Chief.
The development marks a significant turn in the leadership dispute within Jumbo House, while providing the launchpad for the process of producing a legitimate leadership through the emergence of a substantive Paramount Chief.
The excerpts of the address is reproduced below:
“ADDRESS BY CHIEF CLINTON IBIWARI GIBSON DAN-JUMBO, JENE IV, CHIEF AND HEAD OF DAN-JUMBO WAR CANOE HOUSE OF GRAND BONNY KINGDOM ON THE OCCASION OF THE CUSTOMARY COURT JUDGMENT OUSTING THE ELDERS COUNCIL OF JUMBO HOUSE THIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026
Dear distinguished sons and daughters of our Great House,
May I use this medium to bring you up to date on recent developments concerning the affairs of Jumbo House.
On Wednesday, September 29, 2026, the Court dissolved the Elders Council, noting that they are only an advisory body to the Paramount Chief of the Jumbo House and that the Jumbo House constitution does not empower them to operate without a Chief.
Regrettably, in its considered opinion, the Court declined granting one of the reliefs sought to determine who administers the House in the interim with the current situation.
The Court also declined determining whether the name JUMBO HOUSE can be used interchangeably as Jumbo Main House or Jumbo Major House. I respect and accept this ruling and shall comply fully with it.
However, I remain confident that the Okrika High Court, where the relevant documents have already been duly filed, will rectify this situation to ensure the House is not left leaderless.
Besides, the leadership vacuum can also be rectified by the Amanyanabo-in-Council, because it is within the powers of the Amanyanabo-in-Council to delegate any Se-Alabo to supervise any House in Bonny Kingdom.
In my view this is a positive development that puts an end to the long-standing exploitation of the House by a few. I believe that together, we shall make our House great again.
Honestly, I am optimistic that very soon the Court would grant us the necessary leverages we need to work together – our well-meaning elders and members – to facilitate the emergence of a substantive Paramount Chief and bring an end to the prolonged exploitation that have hindered the progress of our Commonwealth.
My dear brothers and sisters, do not despair. We shall overcome. In the interim, any Jumbo House son or daughter who needs any support can approach the Dan-Jumbo House and this will be sorted for them.
Hence, I remain steadfast in my faith and commitment to the future of our House. My assurance to you all is this:
- As long as Jesus Christ reigns on His throne, the Jumbo House shall be great again.
- By God’s grace, we shall have a Chief who fears God and understands that leadership is not about self, but about our people. A Chief who will direct the affairs of our House for the benefit and advancement of our people.
- We shall have a Chief who will use the resources of the House to support educational opportunities, including scholarships for our children. We shall have a Chief who will ensure that the assets and lands with which God has blessed us are protected, properly managed, and used to generate prosperity for future generations.
May I use this medium to express my sincere gratitude to the honourable elders of Jumbo House who have stood with me and continue to stand for truth, justice, and the restoration of our House. Their courage and commitment have been invaluable in our collective effort to bring an end to unnecessary disputes and prolonged litigation used by a few to keep the House under their control. May Almighty God richly bless each of you and your generations for standing firm in support of what is right.
To the women of Burukiri, who on the day of my installation requested neither gifts nor money but simply asked me to help restore the House and ensure the emergence of a Chief, I offer my heartfelt appreciation. My mothers, thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our House.
Today, I am grateful to God that I can report partial victory in the assignment entrusted to me. Those who sought to hold our House captive have now been directed to relinquish their grip. I trust that the same Almighty God who has granted us this measure of success will complete the good work He has begun and soon fill our hearts with joy by granting us a substantive Chief.
To those who have accused me of seeking to control the House or influence the selection of a Chief for personal reasons, I say respectfully that such allegations are untrue. My only desire is to see our House restored and positioned for progress.
Indeed, I can honestly say that the House presently faces significant financial challenges and that my efforts have never been motivated by material gain. Rather, they have been driven by a sincere concern for the future and wellbeing of our people. This also accounts for why my lawyers have written to all the banks to suspend all transactions on Jumbo House accounts.
Consequently, all actions, agreement, treaties and transactions of the Elders Council remain invalid, null and void. Companies, government institutions, traditional authorities and all other stakeholders are urged to take note and desist from transacting any form of business with the said Elders Council.
I pray that God grants us all the wisdom to recognise the challenges confronting our House and the courage to address them before they become greater difficulties, for truly, a stitch in time saves nine.
To all sons and daughters of this great House, I once again assure you that, by God’s grace, it shall be well with you. As long as I remain one of the Chiefs of this great House, no one will be allowed to destroy your destiny by failing to utilise the resources of the House to invest in your future. I shall continue to advocate for the responsible use of our collective resources to invest in the future of our people and the generations yet to come. It shall also be well with your children’s children.”
