A Kogi State court has removed Alhaji Ganiyu Isa as the Olu of Odokoro-Gbede in Ojumu Local Government Area of the state.
Olu of Odokoro-Gbede-elect, Busiriyu Aliu
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, according to a report by Punch.
The court named a substantive replacement in the person of Mallam Busiriyu Aliu as the new 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.