Court sacks Ahmed-Anaje as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland

The Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, has sacked the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Tijani Ahmed-Anaje.

The presiding judge, Justice Umar Salisu, gave the order in a judgement delivered with a charge to Ahmed-Anaje not to parade himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland on Monday, February 3, 2025.

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

Represented by Lawal Rabana (SAN), the plaintiffs sued Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, the State Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi, and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

The three plaintiffs pleaded with the court to make a declaration that the procedure adopted in appointing Ahmed-Anaje to the throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was wrongful and unlawful.

Tinubu approves leadership swap at Ekiti, Kogi varsities

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

They sought a declaration that the purported recommendation of Ahmed-Anaje by “unknown kingmakers” to Ododo as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was contrary to the “clear provisions of Section 4(1) Chieis (Appoininient, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and, therefore, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”

They said: “A declaration that the purported Ohi’s who participated in the selection, recommendation, and the process leading to the purported appointment of Ahmed-Anaje as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland are non-existent, null and void.”

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

The Star