Metro

Obaseki Faces Backlash Over Alleged Politicization Of Okpella Kingship

Published

1 year ago

October 14, 2024

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State is facing sharp criticism from members of the Okpella community for allegedly politicizing the selection process of the new Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

The community’s displeasure follows the governor’s appointment of Engr. Lukman Oghehemhime Akemokhue as the new traditional ruler, despite a pending court case and objections from local leaders.

The controversy stems from Obaseki’s presentation of the Staff of Office to Akemokhue in September, even though a contender, Mike Sado, had already instituted a court case challenging the appointment. This development has sparked protests, with residents accusing the governor of disregarding Okpella’s customs and favoring political allies over traditional procedures.

The Okpella Council of Village Heads has been vocal in its opposition, insisting that the selection of the Okuokpellagbe is the exclusive responsibility of the Kingmakers, not the state government. In a letter to Governor Obaseki, the Council criticized the interference, accusing him of undermining their autonomy and violating Section 19(1) of Edict No. 16 of 1979, which outlines the proper procedure for selecting a traditional ruler.

Sado, speaking in Abuja, expressed frustration over the state’s involvement in the process, accusing the governor of setting a dangerous precedent by disregarding the community’s customs. He revealed that the kingship had been narrowed down to three kindred, with each asked to nominate a candidate.

However, when his kindred successfully submitted a nominee, other candidates allegedly bypassed tradition and forwarded their names directly to the governor, leading to confusion.

According to Sado, “The agreement was that once nominated by your kindred, there would be an election. But two Kingmakers, working for one of the candidates, ignored this and sent all three names to the governor. The Okpella Council of Village Heads intervened and chose me, but political interests have since derailed the process.”

The situation has escalated to legal battles, with contempt and criminal proceedings initiated against the Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo, and Akemokhue for acting on the matter while it is still pending in court. They are accused of violating Section 110(c) and (d) of the Criminal Law of Edo State by taking actions that disrupt judicial proceedings.

Sado’s legal team, led by Chief H.O. Ogbodu, SAN, has asked the court to set aside the appointment letter given to Akemokhue, arguing that it contravenes the ongoing court case and traditional laws. The case, marked B/464/2019, centers on determining the rightful candidate for the Okuokpellagbe throne.

Despite the controversy, Governor Obaseki’s office has not issued any official response to the community’s objections or the legal proceedings. However, tensions remain high in Okpella, with many residents demanding that the traditional process be respected and warning that the governor’s actions could lead to further unrest in the community.

Metro

My Husband Doesn’t Love Me, I Want Divorce —Wife

Published

5 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

…I ‘m still interested in her —Husband

A woman, Mrs Hajara Busari, has asked an Area Court Centre Igboro in Ilorin, Kwara State, to dissolve her six-year-old marriage to her husband, Mr Mumini Anafi, over lack of love.

The petitioner told the court that she is no longer interested in the Islamic marriage with her husband, and urged the court to dissolve it.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she is seeking an order for marriage dissolution, custody of their three children, as well as the sum of N50,000, being cost of maintenance of the children.

Meanwhile, the respondent told the court that he is still interested in their marriage and urged the court not to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner.

The presiding judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, urged the husband to explore every opportunity within his reach to achieve amicable settlement of any dispute with his wife.

The court adjourned the case until December 17.

Metro

Woman Divorces Husband For Smashing Her Phone, Refusing To Repair It

Published

5 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A woman, Zainab Alhassan, has divorced her husband, Tijjani Muhammad, over his refusal to repair her damaged cell phone worth N70,000.

She told the court that she was no longer interested in their marriage and was ready to divorce him through Khul’i, (a type of divorce where a woman returns the dowry she received to her husband.)

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhassan told the court that she was ready to return the N30,000 dowry to regain her freedom.

She told the court that she was watching a movie on her phone when her husband started fighting her, collected her phone and allegedly smashed it.

She, however, noted that she does not have a witness to prove her claims.

On his part, the defendant said he does not have a problem with her divorce plea but disagreed with the claim that he damaged her phone.

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The judge, Malam Mu’awiyya Shehu, dissolved their marriage on the basis of Khul’i and dismissed the complainant’s plea for the repair of the phone.

Metro

I Want Divorce, N50,000 For Our Children’s Upkeep, Woman Tells Court

Published

5 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A woman, Mrs Hajara Busari, has asked an Area Court Centre-igboro in Ilorin, Kwara State, to dissolve her six-year-old marriage with her husband, Mr Mumini Anafi, over lack of love.

The petitioner told the court that she is no more interested in the Islamic marriage with her husband and urged the court to dissolve same.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she is seeking an order for marriage dissolution, custody of her three children, as well as the sum of N50,000, being cost of maintenance of her children.

Meanwhile, the respondent, told the court that he is still interested in his marriage with his wife, and urged the court not to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner.

The presiding Judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, urged the husband to explore every opportunity within his reach, to achieve amicable settlement of any dispute with his wife.

The court adjourned the case until December 17, for either report of settlement or for hearing.