The Court of Appeal, Benin Division, has adjourned the hearing of an appeal arising from the dispute over the Okumagbe of Wanno Clan stool in Edo State to January 18, 2027.

The court fixed the date after granting an application by the appellant, Chief Benjamin Aliu, to amend his Notice of Appeal, following an objection by the first respondent, Senator Francis Alimikhena.

When the appeal came up on October 19, 2026, D. O. Ogebe (SAN) appeared for the appellant alongside E. O. Kadiri and M. A. Okonofua, while Senator Alimikhena was represented by Ms A. Ogbeide, alongside Emma Ugo.

The first respondent opposed the application to amend the Notice of Appeal, arguing that it constituted an abuse of court process and was premature and incompetent.

However, the appellate court overruled the objection and granted the application, expressing the view that the proposed amendment would not occasion any injustice to the first respondent but would assist in expediting the hearing of the appeal.

The court subsequently directed the respondents to file their respective briefs of argument within the time prescribed by the Rules of Court to facilitate the hearing of the appeal on the adjourned date.

The appeal is one of three separate legal proceedings arising from the dispute over the selection and emergence of Senator Alimikhena as the Okumagbe of Wanno Clan.

The dispute also involves a fresh suit instituted by Dr Francis Omoh before the Agenebode High Court, where proceedings commenced on October 26, 2026.

The suit has been adjourned until November 13, 2026, for hearing.

In the action, Dr Omoh is seeking declarations concerning the validity of the process through which Senator Alimikhena was selected and recognised as the traditional ruler of the clan. The claimant contends that the process was conducted in defiance of a directive by the fifth defendant, the Etsako East Local Government Council, invalidating it, despite the pendency of Suit No. HAG/05/26 and a motion for an interlocutory injunction.

Among other reliefs, the claimant is asking the court to determine whether the selection, election, presentation and recognition of Senator Alimikhena complied with the customs and traditions of Wanno Clan and the applicable provisions of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979.

He is also challenging the reliance on Gazette No. 4, Vol. 22, dated April 10, 2012, concerning the customary law regulating succession to the traditional stool of the former Weppa-Wanno Clan.

The claimant further seeks declarations concerning Senator Alimikhena’s eligibility for the stool, an order restraining the defendants from recognising him as Okumagbe, and N50 million in general damages in connection with allegations relating to the disputed selection process and alleged harassment.

The defendants in the suit include Senator Alimikhena, the Governor of Edo State, the Attorney-General of Edo State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Etsako East Local Government Council.

A separate suit instituted by Chief Gentle Etsemobor, which also challenges the selection process that produced Senator Alimikhena, is scheduled for hearing on November 18, 2026.

The legal proceedings followed the Edo State Government’s recognition and installation of Senator Alimikhena as Okumagbe of Wanno Clan, marked by the presentation of a staff of office on August 22, 2026.

The installation took place amid pending legal challenges instituted by the three contenders.

The cases raise questions for judicial determination concerning the selection process, the applicable customary law and the legal validity of the recognition challenged by the claimants.

The Court of Appeal has adjourned the appeal to January 18, 2027, while the two High Court cases are scheduled for further proceedings on November 13 and 18, 2026, respectively.