The re-selection of the new Osuko stool in Obi Chiefdom of Nasarawa State is generating a lot of crisis and may lead to serious litigation that could threaten the peace of the area.
The six members of the Oga Royal Family in the Chiefdom have dragged Nasarawa State government to court over Governor Sule’s re-selection and appointment of Aliyu Dangiwa Orume as the paramount ruler (Osuko) of Obi Chiefdom.
The plaintiffs who are suing for themselves and other members of the Oga ruling house are insisting that the re-selection and installation of Aliyu Orume who is the first defendant in the suit, was illegal.
Also joined in the suit are the Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule as the third defendant; Ibrahim Okposhi as the second defendant; Nasarawa State Commissioner for Justice; and his local government affairs counterpart; Obi Local Government Council and the Obi Traditional Council.
In a writ of summons filed before the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the ‘purported re-selection of the 1st defendant as the Osuko pursuant to the purported Nasarawa State amended local government law 2009 is illegal and contravenes the Nasarawa State Legal Notice No.3 of 2006.
The plaintiffs also sought a perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant (Orume) from parading, holding out or presenting himself in any manner, form or way as the Osuko of Obi.
Part of the reliefs sought also include an order of the court mandating the defendants to comply with the Nasarawa State legal Notice 3 of 2006 and re-conduct the selection exercise for the stool of Osuko of Obi Chiefdom.
Hearing into the suit which will be handled by the Nasarawa State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Aisha Aliyu Bashir, is slated for 4 April 2022.
It will be recalled that in 2007, some members of the Oga Ruling Family of Obi dragged the Nasarawa State government and others including Orume to court where they challenged his (Orume’s) selection and appointment.
Specifically, the Plaintiffs contended that a quorum was not formed on the day Orume was said to have been selected as only one kingmaker instead of three as constitutionally guaranteed, voted on the said election date.
The plaintiffs said the action of the state government was illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever because ‘the selection and installation process of Orume contravened the Nasarawa State Legal Notice No.3 of 2006 and the Obi local government modification of Native Law and Custom.
However, in its judgement, the Nasarawa State High Court II held that Orume was duly selected.