Court Gives Verdict On Ke Chieftaincy Tussle

Omoni Royal House of Ke Town in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has won its chieftaincy law suit over the installation of certain persons as chiefs in the community.
The suit Number DHC/28/2009, which was filed by the claimants, Chief Benson Omiete, Chief Philip A Benebo, Prince Samuel C. Aboko and Mr Good Asobari for themselves as members of the Omoni Royal House of Ke Town, was instituted on four areas.
The first is a declaration that the Amadabo/Regent of Ke Town in Council is the only duly constituted traditional authority customarily mandated to install chiefs in Ke Town.
Secondly, the claimants declared that the insurpation of vested traditional authority of the Amadabo/Regent of Ke Town in Council by anybody or group of persons, including the Defendants in Ke Town, is contrary to Ke (Kalabari) native law and customs.
They also declared that any steps, whatsoever, taken towards constituting a strange committee for the purpose of installing chiefs in Ke Town in the absence of an Amadabo/Regent of Ke is void. The claimants therefore sought for an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from being installed as Chiefs in Ke Town until such time that an Amadabo/Regent of Ke is appointed.
Delivering judgement in the High Court of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Hon Justice E.N. Ogbuji, after consideration of submission of counsels to both parties upheld the declarations of the claimants, as stated.
The defendants to the suit, which was instituted on the 31st of October 2003, are Chief Ngogo Owitubo, Chief Alpheaus Damieibi, Mr Reuben Alalibo, and Mr Romeo Isoberenge.
Others are Mr Charles Ekine Orukio, Mr Ifuro-Iyala Festus Eli, Prince Omoni F. Edi, Mr Ibraye C. Collar, Elder Daniel Ngolo, and Mr Ibiba Sokari.