An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has adjourned the suit instituted against His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin by two suspended Benin Enigie (Dukes) to October 17th 2024 for mention, amid routine shuffle of Courts.
The suspended Enogie of Evbuobanosa alongside his counterpart at Egbaen Siluko Dukedoms in Benin (Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Mr Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen), are challenging their suspension from office by Oba Ewuare II, following allegation of spearheading rebellion against the Oba.
Justice Mary Asemota adjourned the suit marked, B/250os/2023, cited the forthcoming annual Judicial vacation year as reason for the long adjustment.
Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), joined by Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), and Dr. Samson Osagie, appeared as Counsels for the Oba of Benin who the 1st Defendant in the suit where Oluwole Osazee-Uzzi, the State Attorney-General, appeared on behalf of Edo State Government as the 2nd Defendant.
Dr Osagie Obayuwana represented the Claimants, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen were both absent in Court.
Also, Mrs P. O. Okoduwa, appeared on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) in Court, which recently joined as the 3rd Defendant during the previous hearing of the case on 9th May 2024 by Justice Peter Akhihiero who had been reassigned.
Dr Osagie Osagie who spoke to newsmen on behalf of the Counsel to the 1st Defendant (Oba of Benin), said, “Today, Court 6 that is handling the case has indicted that as a new judge, the case will have to start denovo. What that means is that the case has to start afresh because he was not the judge that handled the case previously. That is the position of the law.”
On his part, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Counsel to the Claimants, told newsmen, described the Court procedure as normal.
He said, “There has been a reorganization of Courts. Judges have been moved. And then and the case was adjourned to October 17th 2024”.
Edo residents, including members of the Benin Royal family, Palace Chiefs, Priests and Priestesses as well as Royal fans, defied the heavy downpour, were present at the Court premises.
But, heavy presence of security agents, including Police personnel acting on the orders of the State government, barricaded the High Court gate and denied most Palace functionaries and access to the Courtroom during the sitting.
One side of the busy Benin-Sapele Road, was shutdown by security operatives during the Court proceeding.
Groups who defied Monday morning rainfall, rendered soul-lifting songs in displayed affection and solidarity for the Oba of Benin.
The move was against the earlier threats via on Sunday July 14th 2024 Press Conference by the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare on behalf of the State Government, warning residents to steer clear from on Monday July 15th 2024 Court proceeding.
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