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Supreme Court orders fresh hearing into Obaro of Kabba-Owe Stool legal battle

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The Supreme Court has ordered that the legal battle over the Obaro of Kabba-Owe Stool and paramount rulership of Kabba-Owe land in Kogi State be heard afresh and speedily on its merit by the Kogi State High Court.

The apex court on Friday directed that the case be remitted to the Chief Judge of the Kogi State High Court to be assigned to another judge of the court for a fresh hearing.

Justice Stephen Jonah Adah gave the order while delivering judgment in an interlocutory appeal brought before the court by the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi (Otitoleke Oweyomade I).

Judgment in the appeal by Obaro Owoniyi, marked SC/CV/796/2021, was prepared by Justice Heleen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju but read by Justice Adah.

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In the judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 31, 2021, which set aside the judgment of the Kogi State High Court of October 10, 2019, that declined jurisdiction in the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs’ case had become statute-barred.

The apex court affirmed that the plaintiffs, who are from the Ilajo family, have locus standi (legal right) because of their claim to be the sole family entitled to produce the Obaro of Kabba.

The Ilajo family, comprising three ruling houses, Ajinuhi, Ajibohokun, and Mokelu, had in 2018 sued the Kogi State Government and Kabba kingmakers following the appointment of Chief Solomon Dele Owoniyi as the Obaro of Kabba.

Oba Owoniyi’s appointment was made pursuant to the Kabba-Owe Chieftaincy Law, which recognizes rotation of the first-class stool between the Akunmejila and Ilajo families.

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The last Obaro, the late Oba Michael Folorunso Olobayo, was from the Ilajo family, prompting the appointment by the Kogi State Government and Kabba kingmakers of a candidate from the Akunmejila group in line with the rotatory provision of the law.

The Ilajo family, however, insisted that it has the exclusive right to produce the Obaro, without consideration of any other family.

Those who challenged Oba Owoniyi’s appointment are Chief Henry Oluwole Aiyewumi, nominated by the Ilajo family; Chief Stephen Ojo Beleyi for the Ajibohokun ruling house; Raphael Aiyegunle for the Mokelu ruling house; and Olorunmola Oloruntobi for Ajinuhi—all from the Ilajo family.

Their claims were, however, rejected by the Kogi State High Court in 2019 in a ruling which held that their case had been statute-barred, having not been filed within the time allowed by law, and thus, they lost their claims of exclusivity to the throne.

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Specifically, the High Court in Lokoja held that the Ilajo Royal Family had “slept for too long over their right,” having failed to challenge the 1995 Edict that recommended rotation between it and the Akunmejila Royal Family.

The Ilajo Royal Family appealed the case, and the Court of Appeal ruled in its favor, prompting Obaro Owoniyi and the kingmakers to take the case to the Supreme Court.

However, both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have directed that a fresh hearing be conducted speedily into the propriety or otherwise of the appointment, rather than terminating the case through the preliminary objections raised by Obaro Owoniyi.

The unanimous decision of the Supreme Court justices has thus set the stage for a fresh determination of the legality or otherwise of the Kogi State Government’s actions in appointing Obaro Owoniyi.

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Reacting to the apex court’s judgment, lead counsel to Obaro Owoniyi, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), said that his client remains the Obaro of Kabba and the paramount traditional ruler of Owe land.

The senior lawyer maintained that the Supreme Court only ruled that the plaintiffs’ case be freshly looked into on its merit, and that the decision has not overturned the lawful appointment made by the Kogi State Government.

“When the suit was instituted in 2018 to challenge Oba Owoniyi’s appointment, a preliminary objection to its competence was raised based on jurisdiction, and it was upheld by the State High Court.

“Now that the decision of the High Court on the preliminary objections has been reversed, we are ready for the fresh hearing on the merit of the substantive matter,” he said.

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DSS intercepts arms shipment bound for bandit kingpin, nabs suspect

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.

According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.

“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”

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The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.

“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.

The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.

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It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.

(NAN)

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Chimamanda Adichie alleges cover-up, negligence following son’s death

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Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.

In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.

Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:

Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.

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Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.

Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.

Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.

She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.

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The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.

“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.

Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.

“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.

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Tinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State and later died while still in their custody.

According to a State House statement issued on Saturday, the president said he received the news of the former military officer’s death with “shock and sadness,” describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the security challenges facing parts of the country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State,” the statement read.

General Abubakar, who had retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces after a distinguished career, was said to have been travelling to his hometown when he was intercepted and abducted by armed men.

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“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him,” the statement stated.

The presidency also revealed that the late officer’s wife was taken alongside him and is still being held by the abductors, a detail that has further intensified public concern over the incident.

The president extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the military establishment, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.

He also reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance on terrorism and kidnapping, warning that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions.

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While condemning the attack, Tinubu declared: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”

He further stressed national unity and resilience in the face of insecurity, insisting that the country would ultimately prevail.

“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” the President said.

On the broader fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, rejecting any form of negotiation with armed groups.

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“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the statement added.

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