Ohinoyi of Ebiraland: Court Bars Tijani Ahmed-Anaje From Parading Self

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, the State capital has ordered Tijani Ahmed-Anaje from parading himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

The presiding judge in suit number: HCO/05C/2024, Justice Umar Salisu gave this order on Monday, February 3, 2025 in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The plaintiffs, Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf and Abdulrahaam Suberu had in December 2024 challenged the appointment of Mr. Ahmed-Anaje by the then Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello, as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

Represented by their counsel, Lawal Rabana, SAN, the plaintiffs sued the incumbent Governor, Ahmed Ododo, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Muzi Abdullahi, and Ahmed-Anaje as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in the case which began in Okene before its transfer to Lokoja.

The plaintiffs had pleaded with the court to declare the procedure adopted in appointing the 3rd defendant to the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland as wrongful, unlawful.

They 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.

Justice Salisu, in his judgment, upheld the prayers of the claimants and ordered Mr Ahmed-Anaje to vacate the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland pending a fresh selection by the kingmakers of Ebiraland.

No fewer than 70 candidates jostled for the stool of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

They were screened by a committee to replace the late Ado Ibrahim who died on 29 October 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, Governor Ododo called for calm in the State.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muzi Abdullahi, who spoke with NAN in Lokoja, over the case, said that the governor has instructed him to appeal against the court verdict.

“We are confident that there will be a reversal of the judgement. 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,” the attorney-general said