By correspondent in Lokoja.
Kogi State government is set to challenge the removal of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM.Mohamned Ahmed Tijani Anaje by a High Court in Lokoja, kogi State,on Monday.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Muiz Abdullahi,disclosed this in Lokoja on Monday when spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, while reacting to the court’s judgment on the issue.
He said that the Governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,who sued for calm over the issue, has instructed him to appeal against the court verdict.
“We are confident that there will be a reversal of the judgement.
“The citizens should exercise restraint not to do any contrary to the Law.
“We don’t agree with the judgment because the judge didn’t consider some objections we raised before him.
“The judgment is neither here nor there.
‘You should know that the law is straight forward. One plus one is two, and it can’t be contested.
“Tomorrow, by God’s grace. we are filing Notice and Grounds of appeal challenging the judgment of the court, “the attorney-general said.
Our correspondent recalls that a State High Court in Lokoja removed Tijani Ahmed-Anaje from his position as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Justice Umar Salisu issued the ruling on Monday, instructing Ahmed-Anaje to cease presenting himself as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The case, filed by Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf, and Abdulrahaam Suberu in December, challenged Ahmed-Anaje’s appointment by former governor Yahaya Bello. The plaintiffs, represented by Lawal Rabana (SAN), filed their suit against Governor Ahmed Ododo, the State Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi, and Ahmed-Anaje, arguing that the appointment process violated established protocols.
The plaintiffs contended that the procedure for selecting the Ohinoyi was unlawful and violated both the Procedure of Ascension to the Throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Edict No 3 of 1997, and the Kogi State Chiefs Law, Section 4(1) (2006). They further argued that the kingmakers who recommended Ahmed-Anaje were not properly recognized and that the entire process was invalid.
The plaintiffs sought a declaration that the appointment was void and an order preventing the recognition of Ahmed-Anaje as the Ohinoyi.
In response, the defense, including Gov. Ododo, Abdullahi, and Ahmed-Anaje, requested the case be dismissed, citing a lack of merit.
However, Justice Salisu ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, ordering Ahmed-Anaje to vacate the throne and stating that a fresh selection process would be conducted by the legitimate kingmakers of Ebiraland.
This decision follows the death of former Ohinoyi, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, who died on October 29, 2024 at the 94 while 70 candidates, including a female professor, Angela Oregwun Okatahi contested for the post of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
