By Samuel Edward,Benin

The protracted dispute over the traditional stool of Ewu Kingdom in Edo State has taken another significant legal turn, following two separate orders of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, granting His Royal Highness Jafaru Isesele I, the Onogie of Ewu, leave to commence judicial review proceedings against the Edo State Government and other authorities over the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment recognising his entitlement to the traditional stool.

In a related development, the same court has granted a Garnishee Order Nisi in favour of Isesele against Prince Rasak Ogiefo, in proceedings seeking to recover a combined N13 million in outstanding costs awarded by the Supreme Court in two separate decisions arising from the long-running chieftaincy dispute.

The two orders, made by Hon. Justice I. O. Omotoso (Mrs.) of High Court No. 11, Benin City, in Suit NO. B/242/2026 followed separate ex-parte applications filed by Isesele on September 30 and October 7, 2026, respectively. Both applications were argued by his counsel, K. O. Obamogie, SAN.

Aljazirah Nigeria recalls that, The Supreme Court had, in its judgment delivered on July 19, 2024, affirmed His Royal Highness Jafaru Isesele I as the lawful Onojie of Ewu Kingdom in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State and consequently upheld the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal on the dispute.

Despite the judgments, the claimant contends that Prince Ogiefo has continued to occupy the Palace and present himself as the Onojie of Ewu.

In the first application, Isesele sought the court’s permission to institute judicial review proceedings against the Governor of Edo State, the Edo State Executive Council, the Attorney-General of Edo State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Esan Central Local Government Council and Esan Central Traditional Council.

The application seeks, among other reliefs, an order of mandamus compelling the relevant state authorities to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on July 19, 2024, in Appeal No. SC.147/2014, Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo v. His Royal Highness Jafaru Isesele I & Ors.

Specifically, Isesele is asking the court to compel the authorities to recognise his status as the legitimate Onogie of Ewu and formally approve, present and issue the Staff of Office and accompanying certificate or instrument of recognition.

The applicant also wants the court to compel the relevant authorities to take all necessary administrative steps to give practical effect to the Supreme Court judgment, including the publication or issuance of appropriate official instruments recognising his position.

A particularly significant aspect of the application is the allegation that the state authorities have failed to give effect to the subsisting Supreme Court judgment.

Relying on Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Isesele is asking the court to declare that the Supreme Court judgment is binding on the respondents and that they cannot lawfully refuse or neglect to implement it.

The application further seeks an order directing the respondents to pay him the financial benefits attached to the office of Onogie of Ewu with effect from August 6, 1997.

According to the application, the financial benefits had previously been adjudged by the High Court in Suit No. B/437/2001 on February 10, 2005, affirmed by the Court of Appeal on February 14, 2014, and further reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in its judgment of July 19, 2024.

In granting leave, Justice Omotaso held that the applicant was within his rights to institute the judicial review proceedings.

The court stated:

“I am of the opinion that it is well within the rights of the Applicant to bring this application.”

The judge consequently granted leave for judicial review and directed the applicant to serve the Motion on Notice on the respondents for the determination of the substantive application.

The matter was adjourned to January 19, 2027, for hearing of the Motion on Notice.

In the second proceeding, Isesele approached the court for a Garnishee Order Nisi against Prince Rasak Ogiefo to recover N13 million in outstanding costs arising from two decisions of the Supreme Court in the same Appeal No. SC.147/2014.

The application sought to attach funds standing to the credit of Ogiefo in identified bank accounts, including his account with Zenith Bank, as well as any other account held by the garnishee bank for the judgment debtor, to the extent necessary to satisfy the outstanding judgment costs.

The N13 million comprises N3 million in costs arising from the Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 19, 2024, and a further N10 million awarded in the Supreme Court’s ruling of June 5, 2026.

Both sums are being pursued as outstanding costs in favour of Isesele.

After considering the affidavit evidence, attached exhibits and written address presented by the applicant’s counsel, Justice Omotaso granted the application.

The court’s order stated:

“A Garnishee Order Nisi is hereby granted.”

The court further directed the garnishee to show cause why the order should not be made absolute and adjourned the matter to December 16, 2026, for that purpose.

The Garnishee Order Nisi represents an important procedural step in the recovery proceedings, although it is not yet a final order making the attachment absolute. The garnishee is expected to appear before the court and show cause before the court determines whether to make the order absolute.

Taken together, the two proceedings represent separate but related developments in the Ewu chieftaincy dispute.

While the first application seeks to compel the Edo State Government and other relevant authorities to take administrative steps towards implementing the Supreme Court judgment, the second seeks to enforce the monetary costs awarded by the apex court against Rasak Ogiefo.

The proceedings bring renewed attention to the July 19, 2024, Supreme Court judgment and the subsequent ruling of June 5, 2026, which feature prominently in the applicant’s latest legal actions.

By Moses Jacob, Benue

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu has continued his familiarisation tour of Local Government Areas across the State, with visits to Buruku and Tarka on November 4, and Konshisha on November 5, as part of efforts to strengthen community engagement, assess prevailing security challenges and consolidate partnerships with critical stakeholders.

According to a statement at the weekend by the Police Public Relations Officer,DSP Peter Orchia during the visits, the Commissioner was received by Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, DPOs , Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, youth representatives, heads of other security agencies and other stakeholders.

Addressing the stakeholders,the CP said the engagements provided a platform for constructive dialogue on local security concerns, identification of emerging threats and the need for strengthened cooperation in addressing security challenges at the grassroots.

He underscored the importance of peace and security as fundamental requirements for sustainable development, urging residents to ( actively involved in the collective responsibility of securing their communities.

Nwadiogbu called for timely sharing of credible information with the Police and other security agencies, emphasising that effective policing is strengthened through public cooperation, trust and mutual support.

He reassured the people of the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, while highlighting the security-focused leadership and ongoing efforts of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu towards strengthening policing and enhancing national security.

The CP reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to align its operations with the IGP’s vision which is focused towards a more responsive, professional and community-oriented Police Force, charging police officers in the areas visited to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for the rights of citizens.

He specifically directed DPOs to maintain effective supervision of personnel, ensure prompt response to security concerns and guard against acts of misconduct, harassment, incivility to members of the public, non-adherence to the social media policy and other unprofessional practices, stressing that such behaviours would not be tolerated.

The CP acknowledged contributions of the stakeholders, addressed issues raised and assured them of the Command’s continued attention, collaboration and appropriate operational responses while the stakeholders, in turn, highlighted security concerns and challenges peculiar to their respective communities, while making suggestions towards improving security.

He said the familiarisation tour underscores the Benue State Police Command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-led policing, grassroots engagement and stronger partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders and other security stakeholders towards preventing crime, addressing local security concerns in order to sustain peace across the State

By David Owei

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, on their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Flamingos on Saturday defeated former champions Japan 2-1 to emerge champions of the competition, becoming the first African nation to win the tournament, which was hosted on the continent for the first time in Morocco.

In a statement personally signed, Adeniyi praised the young Nigerian players for their inspirational performance, describing the victory as a moment of immense pride not only for Nigeria but also for the entire African continent.

He noted that the triumph was a product of collective determination, teamwork, and commitment, stressing that the achievement went beyond individual brilliance to reflect the collective strength and unity within the squad.

Adeniyi particularly highlighted the multiple Man of the Match awards won by different players throughout the competition, describing them as evidence of the team’s depth, individual quality, and shared responsibility in achieving success.

“I want to congratulate the Flamingos for this historic success that has given millions of young Nigerians a reason to dream bigger. Their success proves that dedication, hard work, and collective effort can turn great aspirations into reality. Their remarkable feat has placed Nigeria and Africa on the global football map and demonstrated the immense potential of our young female athletes.”

“What is more reassuring about the future of the team is that for five matches, five different MVPs emerged from the Nigerian team. Having five different players do so shows the depth of the team and how bright the future is.” He said.

The NWF President also commended the technical crew for their dedication, sacrifices, and mentorship, noting that their guidance played a significant role in nurturing the young players and preparing them for the historic achievement.

He added that the coaching staff deserved special recognition for their contribution to the team’s success, stressing that their commitment had brought immense joy and renewed excitement to Nigerians.

Similarly, Adeniyi applauded the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its deliberate efforts towards advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the sports sector.

He emphasised that the Flamingos’ historic achievement was not just a victory for Nigerian football but a significant boost for the entire sporting community, demonstrating the country’s enormous sporting potential and the importance of sustained investment in youth development and grassroots sports.