The
Court of Appeal , Benin Division, has declared the Umu Obi Obahai royal family
of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, the only family qualified to produce the Obi of
Ogwashi-Uku.
Court of Appeal , Benin Division, has declared the Umu Obi Obahai royal family
of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, the only family qualified to produce the Obi of
Ogwashi-Uku.
The
court also upheld the appointment of the father of the Minister of Finance, Dr.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof Chukuka Okonjo, as the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
court also upheld the appointment of the father of the Minister of Finance, Dr.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof Chukuka Okonjo, as the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
The
court upheld the decision of the High Court of Delta State, Ogwashi-Uku, which
sat on the same issue.
court upheld the decision of the High Court of Delta State, Ogwashi-Uku, which
sat on the same issue.
Okonjo
comes from the Umu Obi Obahai royal line of Ogwashi-Uku.
comes from the Umu Obi Obahai royal line of Ogwashi-Uku.
The
Court of Appeal upheld nine of the 10 reliefs sought by the Umu Obi Obahai
royal line, including the issue of the family that can produce the Obi.
Court of Appeal upheld nine of the 10 reliefs sought by the Umu Obi Obahai
royal line, including the issue of the family that can produce the Obi.
The
judgment endorsed the position of the Obahai family that succession to the
throne of the Obi of Ugwashi Uku is hereditary by primogeniture and that the
last validly installed Obi of Ugwashi Uku was Obahai.
judgment endorsed the position of the Obahai family that succession to the
throne of the Obi of Ugwashi Uku is hereditary by primogeniture and that the
last validly installed Obi of Ugwashi Uku was Obahai.
It also
confirms that Dieyi, the forefather of the Dieyi family, which challenged the
Obahai position was never an Obi but a mere regent, who held the throne in
trust because Obahai’s children were minors at the time of his death.
confirms that Dieyi, the forefather of the Dieyi family, which challenged the
Obahai position was never an Obi but a mere regent, who held the throne in
trust because Obahai’s children were minors at the time of his death.
A
statement by Okonjo’s spokesperson Law Okolobi said the council was pleased
that the truth has been confirmed and justice carried out.
statement by Okonjo’s spokesperson Law Okolobi said the council was pleased
that the truth has been confirmed and justice carried out.
The
statement added that the Obi is convinced that the judgment is a victory for
the people of Ogwashi-Uku.
statement added that the Obi is convinced that the judgment is a victory for
the people of Ogwashi-Uku.
Obi
Obahai reigned from 1870 to 1882. Since his demise, the regency prevailed until
22 years ago when his descendants decided to take back the stool.
Obahai reigned from 1870 to 1882. Since his demise, the regency prevailed until
22 years ago when his descendants decided to take back the stool.
The
defendants contended that the monarchy had changed hands severally and, having
been gazetted by the government, the stool should remain with the Dieyi Family.
defendants contended that the monarchy had changed hands severally and, having
been gazetted by the government, the stool should remain with the Dieyi Family.
This
prompted the plaintiffs, especially the Okonjos, to go to court.
prompted the plaintiffs, especially the Okonjos, to go to court.
“His
Majesty, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Chukuka Okonjo and the Obi-in-Council,
are very pleased that the truth in this matter has been confirmed and justice
served.
Majesty, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Chukuka Okonjo and the Obi-in-Council,
are very pleased that the truth in this matter has been confirmed and justice
served.
“It is
the Obi’s conviction that the judgment is a victory for the entire people of
Ogwashi-Uku,” the statement reads.
the Obi’s conviction that the judgment is a victory for the entire people of
Ogwashi-Uku,” the statement reads.
Source: The Nation
