Gov. Yahaya BelloEzi-Esugu clan in Eganyi, Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi State, has dragged the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others before the State High Court, Lokoja, the State capital over a chieftaincy tussle.
Joined in a Motion Ex parte No. HCL/406M/2018, dated July 20, 2018, are the State government, the Attah of Igala land, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, State Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, the Ohi of Eganyi, Chairman and acting Head of the three clans in Eganyi traditional council and Mohammed Adambe.
The Motion Ex parte, which was filed by five aggrieved plaintiffs: Chief Abubakar O. Sadiq, Nathaniel Ayoku, Moses O. Peter, Yusuf Idris Sadiq and Aliyu Salami, prayed the court to restrain the governor and his agents from installing Mohammed Dambe, whose name the governor recently announced as Adogu of Eganyi.
In the Motion, the plaintiffs sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants and or their agents, whether by itself or through any of its representatives, agents, privies, cronies, whosoever and howsoever, from installing and or presentation of staff of office to Mohammed Adembe pending the final hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
Giving a quick ruling in the motion on August 2nd, Thursday last week, the presiding Judge, Justice S O. Otu granted the plaintiffs’ prayer, saying: “all parties are ordered to maintain the status quo as at today pending the hearing of the motion fixed for 2nd day of August, 2018.”
Following the ruling, the secretary of the aggrieved clan, Yusuf Idris Sadiq wrote to the security agencies, including the police, drawing their attention to the danger in allowing any of the defendants to violate the court ruling.
In a letter specifically addressed to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Adogo, Ajaokuta local government, the secretary said that information reaching him indicated that there is arrangement by the Ohi of Eganyi, one of the defendants, to violate the court order by commencing the installation process.
“We therefore wish to use this medium to appeal to your good office for quick intervention to enforce this court order in the interest of peace and order.” [myad]
