National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Chuks Peter, DELTA |
A Delta State High Court, sitting in the Bomadi Judicial Division, has declared the Egrangbene community in Burutu Local Government Area as an autonomous entity, separate from the Oporomor Clan/Kingdom.
This landmark judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice S.O. Adolor in Suit No: HCB/16/2022, marks a significant legal victory for the community.
In the judgment, Justice Adolor stated, “Following the above case of the claimants succeed in part, I therefore hold as follows; A declaration that Egrangbene Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State is an autonomous Community distinct and separate from all other Communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State including Oporomor Clan/Kingdom.”
However, the court denied two of the reliefs sought by the claimants due to insufficient evidence, striking them out accordingly.
The judgment allows the Egrangbene Federated Communities—comprising Egrangbene, Abadiama, Ekumugbene, Ekogbene, Ekolegbene, and Ebeberegbene to establish their own Pere (King) and Kingdom, with Henry Ambakaderemo Okrikpa set to assume the kingship.
The suit was initiated by High Chief Etare Lucky Yoweibo, Mr. Globemi Allele, Chief Oboye Omonibeke, Mr. Christopher, Mr. Daniel Egberonamene, and Mr. Kofi Kobuyou on behalf of the Egrangbene Federated Communities.
They were represented by their lawyers, Chinyere C. Ndoala Esq (Mrs.) and Owen Nanakumoh Esq, and sought to secure autonomy for their kingdom.
Filed on May 23, 2022, the case requested a declaration of Egrangbene Community as an autonomous entity distinct from Oporomor Clan/Kingdom and an injunction to prevent the defendants from including Egrangbene in the process of nominating and installing a new king for Oporomor Kingdom.
The defendants, including Hon. Felix Okpora and representatives of various communities, opposed the claim through their counsels, Chief Benjamin Fankoro Yeigagha Esq. and Anthony Riasavwe Esq.
Both parties presented their arguments before Justice Adolor, who ultimately ruled in favour of the claimants’ right to have their own king and kingdom, separate from the Oporomor Clan.
The ruling was met with widespread jubilation among the indigenes of Egrangbene Federated Communities, who hailed it as a well-deserved victory and a testament to the court’s role as the last hope of the common man.
The community now looks forward to establishing its new leadership and moving forward as an autonomous entity.
