Court sacks Kogi monarch, issues restraining order

State govt to appeal judgment

A Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has sacked the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tajani Anaje from office. Presiding Judge of High Court 6 Lokoja, Justice Salisu Umar, in his ruling, yesterday, made an order directing the defendant to stop parading himself as the paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland.
   
Though the court is yet to make available details of the judgment, The Guardian learnt that the case relates to case number HCO/05C/2024, filed by Dr. Barnabas Adeku Ojiah and two others against the Governor of Kogi State.
  
When contacted, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Ismail lsah, didn’t respond to a text message sent to him. Also, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, did not take his calls, or respond to a text message sent to him.Recall that Anaje was appointed by the immediate past governor, Yahaya Bello, at the twilight of his administration.

REACTING to the judgment, the Attorney-General, Muzi Abdullahi, indicated that the state government would appeal the ruling.
“We are filling a notice of appeal immediately because the judgment has to be reversed,” he said.