The Suspended Onojie of Uromi Sues Oshiomhole, Demands 1BN

The traditional ruler of Uromi in Edo
State, Ojuromi of Uromi, Anselm
Eidenojie II, has instituted a legal
action against Edo State Governor,
Adams Oshiomhole, and 11 others over
his suspension for one year as the
traditional ruler of the community by
the Edo State Government.
The state government had earlier
suspended the monarch for seven days
for allegedly assaulting one Betty
Okoebor during the September 28
governorship election in Esan North-
East Local Government Area. The
government had directed him to
apologise to the woman within the
period of the seven-day suspension or
risk dethronement.
But in another development, the state
executive council, in a letter dated
November 4, 2016, and signed by the
Secretary to the State Government, Prof.
Julius Ihonvbere, extended the
traditional ruler’s suspension to one
year.
It also stripped him of all the privileges
and rights of the Ojuromi of Uromi,
citing Section 28(1) of the Traditional
Rulers and Chiefs Law (1979), adding
that his remuneration from the five per
cent monthly allocation to the local
government shall be appropriated and
donated to orphanages during the
period.
But the traditional ruler, through his
counsel, Benjamin Iruobe, urged the
court to declare that the action of the
governor (second respondent) amounted
to recklessness and abuse of office, was
unconstitutional, unlawful, actionable
and without a just cause.
Other respondents in the suit are the
state Commissioner of Police, Assistant
Inspector-General of Police (Zone 5); the
Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria
Police Force, one Betty Okoebor and one
Matthew Okoebor.
The plaintiff, in the suit instituted in
pursuance to Order Two and Four of the
Fundamental Rights Procedure Rules,
2009, under the Administration of
Criminal Justice Act, 2015, among
others, requested an order of the court
for the enforcement of his rights under
the constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, in terms of the relief sought
in the statement in support of his
application.
The monarch also prayed the court to
order that the sum of N1bn be paid to
him as compensation for damages
against the respondents jointly and
severally and as a reparation for the
alleged assault, torture, arrest, detention
and harassment against him in the
course of their alleged unlawful acts.
He further urged the court to grant an
injunction restraining the defendants by
themselves, agents, servants and or
privies or such other persons from
oppressing him or imposing any
inhibition or restrictions on his freedom
of movement or his agents and family,
in respect of the complaint.