Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Traditional Stool Of Oba Of Ogba Land

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Omoku town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state has dismissed a motion by the current Oba of Ogba land, Nwachukwu Nnam-Obi, in a suit challenging his occupancy to the traditional stool.

After Nnam-Obi was selected as the Oba of Ogba land, the claimants in the suit, Prince Henry-Nwata and members of his family, approached the court to stop him from being installed.

The claimants also sought an interlocutory order to restrain the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike from issuing a certificate of recognition to Nnam-Obi, but rather to recognize Henry-Nwata who they claimed is the rightful person to occupy the stool of Oba in their land.

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Nnam-Obi, through his legal team in his preliminary objection, asked the court to strike out the suit by Henry-Nwata, and members of his Umuebe in Umuokoya kindred for lack of jurisdiction and locus standi to institute the legal action.

But the trial Judge, Justice Mark Chukwu in his ruling on the preliminary objection, ruled that the claimants have the locus standi to institute the action, with reference to sections of the Nigeria constitution and sighted cases.

Justice Chukwu, before adjourning to the 22nd of May for commencement of trial on the substantive matter, also struck out the name of Agip Oil Multinational from the suit, following their request which was not objected to by the parties.

Other defendants in the suit include; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Attorney General of Rivers State, Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs in Rivers State.