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| Alh. Ganiyu Isa |
The Kogi State High Court sitting in Kabba has sacked Alhaji Ganiyu Isa from the stool of Olu of Odokoro- Gbede in Ojumu Local Government Area of of Kogi State .
The court also declared Mallam Busiriyu Aliu as the substantive Olu of Odokoro- Gbede.
Delivering the judgment , the presiding judge, Justice A. B . Akogu , declared that the nomination and installation of Ganiyu Isah as Olu of Odokoro-Gbedde by the second , third and fourth defendants in the case was not in line with the judgment of the State High Court , Lokoja , dated 13th May , 2016 which empowered Mallam Busiriyu Aliu to be installed as the Olu of Odokoro.
According to him , the nomination of the 30th March 2011 by the Omoaguni Elewonunibi family which produced Mallam Busiriyu Aliu as the candidate for the seat still stands , hence it should be upheld; noting that the action of the second , third and fourth defendants is wrongful in nominating and installing Ganiyu Isah as the Olu of Odokoro.
He said the nomination , appointment and installation of Ganiyu Isah by the second to fourth defendants is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
Justice Akogu further gave a perpetual order of injunction restraining Ganiyu Isah from further parading himself as the Olu of Odokoro and also restraining the Ijumu Traditional Council and Ijumu Local Government Council not to recognise or have any dealing with him as the paramount ruler of Odokoro community.
It will be recalled that immediately the announcement of the demise of Oba Solomon Bodunrin was made on January, 30th , 2002, who to replace him as the Olu of Odokoro became a subject of litigation between the Omoaguni Elewounibi and Osura families, which lasted for 17 years.
The case was decided in favour of the Omoaguni Elewounibi family and Mallam Busiriyu Aliu was to be installed as the Olu of Odokoro on the 13th May , 2016 but was shortchanged by some persons within Ijumu Traditional Council .
Not comfortable with the actions of the Ijumu Traditional Council and Ijumu Local Government Council , Ahaji Mustapha Aliu, Mallam Busiriyu Aliu and Mohammed Elega approached the court for interpretation of the earlier court judgment , which empowered Mallam Busiriyu Aliu to be installed .
Speaking to journalists shortly after the judgment was delivered in Kabba, the legal counsel to the complainant , Barrister Funsho Agbana, commended the court for giving such a landmark judgment in the chieftaincy tussle.
He said the judgment has further rekindled the hope of the common man in the integrity of the court , noting that people should learn to uphold due process in whatever they do, irrespective of their positions in the society , urging the court to continue in the light .
The head of the family, Alhaji Mustapha Aliu Elewonubi , applauded the decision of the court , stressing that at no time did Ganiyu Isah say he wanted to be the Olu of Odokoro , despite being members of the same Elewonubi family.
Also speaking , the newly recognised Olu of Odokoro-Gbedde elect , Mallam Busiriyu Aliu, commended the court and the people who really fought the legal battle for 17 years , urging the people of the community to support and cooperate with him to move the community forward .
Source: Punch Newspaper
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