A State High Court in Lokoja, Kogi state, has removed Alhaji Tijani Ahmed-Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, ruling that his appointment did not follow due process.
Delivering the judgment today, Justice Umar Salisu ordered Ahmed-Anaje to stop parading himself as the Ohinoyi, pending a fresh selection by the kingmakers of Ebiraland.
The case was filed in December by Chief Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf, and Abdulrahaam Suberu, who challenged the appointment of Ahmed-Anaje by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Represented by Lawal Rabana (SAN), the plaintiffs sued Governor Ahmed Ododo, the State Attorney General Muzi Abdullahi, and Ahmed-Anaje, arguing that the process of appointing the traditional ruler was illegal.
They contended that the procedure violated the Procedure of Ascension to the Throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Edict No. 3 of 1997, and Section 4(1) of the Chiefs (Appointment, Deposition, and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006.
The plaintiffs sought a court declaration that the selection of Ahmed-Anaje was null and void since it was done by unknown kingmakers. They also asked for an injunction to prevent the state government from recognizing him as the Ohinoyi.
In response, Governor Ododo, Abdullahi, and Ahmed-Anaje objected to the claims, arguing through their lawyers Muzi Abdullahi and Zakari Abbas that the case had no merit and should be dismissed.
However, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, ordering Ahmed-Anaje to vacate the throne immediately.
The legal battle follows the passing of the previous Ohinoyi, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, who died on October 29, 2024, at the age of 94. A total of 70 candidates from four of the five eligible districts in Kogi—Okewe, Ohema, Erika, Aganiye, and Adavi— were screened to replace him.
Reacting to the judgment, Governor Ododo called for calm in the state. The Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi, confirmed that the government would appeal the ruling and urged citizens to remain law-abiding.
He insisted that the judgment did not consider key objections raised during the trial and expressed confidence that a higher court would overturn the decision.
He said, “We don’t agree with the judgment because the judge didn’t consider some of our objections. Tomorrow, by God’s grace, we will file a notice of appeal challenging the ruling.”
