National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Kogi State Government has vowed to appeal the judgment of a High Court in Lokoja, which on Monday nullified the appointment of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Mohammed Ahmed Tijani Anaje.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muiz Abdullahi, disclosed this in Lokoja while reacting to the ruling. He stated that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has instructed him to immediately file an appeal against the judgment.
“We are confident that there will be a reversal of the judgment,” Abdullahi said. “The citizens should exercise restraint and not act contrary to the law. We don’t agree with the judgment because the judge didn’t consider some objections we raised before him.”
The court ruling, delivered by Justice Umar Salisu, ordered Ahmed-Anaje to stop parading himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The case was filed in December by Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf, and Abdulrahman Suberu, who challenged his appointment by former Governor Yahaya Bello. The plaintiffs, represented by Lawal Rabana (SAN), argued that the selection process violated Edict No. 3 of 1997 and the Kogi State Chiefs Law (2006).
They contended that the kingmakers who recommended Ahmed-Anaje were not properly constituted, making the process invalid. The court ruled in their favor and directed that a fresh selection process be conducted.
The legal battle follows the passing of the former Ohinoyi, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, who died on October 29, 2024, at the age of 94. A total of 70 candidates, including a female professor, Angela Oregwun Okatahi, contested for the revered stool.
The Kogi State Government, however, remains adamant that the judgment will not stand. “Tomorrow, by God’s grace, we are filing a notice and grounds of appeal,” Abdullahi said.
