Edo High Court Removes Sado As Okuokpellagbe Of Okpella, Reinstates Dethroned Lukeman

Engineer was fired by an Edo High Court located in Fugar, in the state’s Etsako Central Local Government Area. The removed Engr. Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue has been elected as the legitimate traditional monarch of Okpella Kingdom, replacing Michael Eshiorenoya Sado as the Okuokpella.

MYTIMENG, On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Justice O.A. Otamere dismissed the traditional ruler in Suit No. HAG/12/2025, which was brought before it by Engr. The dethroned Okuokpellagbe of the Okpella Kingdom By Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Community, and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo are the defendants in the lawsuit.

High Chief Ayuba Acheku, Michael Eshiorenoya Olorunfemi Sado, and the Etsako East Traditional Council are additional.

In its ruling, the court said that on April 30, 2025, Governor Monday Okpebholo dethroned Engineer Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue as Okuokpellagbe of the Okpella Kingdom without providing him with a proper hearing.

The state governor’s withdrawal of the claimant’s recognition as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella was seen by the court to be an abuse of office and should not be permitted since he failed to demonstrate that he had followed the law’s provisions.

Otamere went on to say that permitting the governor’s action would be a mockery of the provisions of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs’ Edict of 1979 in addition to undermining the spirit and letter of the timeless and ageless principle of audi alteram partem, which has since been incorporated into the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) (as amended) Constitution.

He declared, “That the alleged removal of the claimant as Okuokpellagbe (Traditional Ruler) of Okpella, vide Government Special Announcement dated April 30, 2025, arbitrarily without giving him a hearing on any alleged wrongdoing against him is contrary to his right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and therefore null and void.”

There was no question that Engineer Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue was duly appointed as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella on September 22, 2024, according to the judge, who decided all matters in the suit in favour of the claimant. The claimant is still the Okuokpellagbe (Traditional Ruler) of Okpella, according to the court’s ruling, and as such, they are entitled to serve in that capacity and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.

Additionally, it mandated that the claimant maintain their right to attend sessions of the Etsako East Traditional Council, the fourth defendant.

Michael Eshiorenoya Olorunfemi Sado, the sixth defendant, was ordered to immediately abdicate his position as Okuokpellagbe (Traditional Ruler) of Okpella by the judge, who accepted the arguments stated by the claimant’s attorney.

Additionally, he claimed that the claimant’s appointment by the state government on September 22, 2024, was properly gazetted for public knowledge as mandated by law.

He proposed that the state government, however, rescinded the claimant’s appointment without informing him of any misconduct or giving him a chance to refute any accusations through a special notice that was published and extensively shared on several social media sites.

In response to the ruling, Hanson Aimofumeh, the Okpella Traditional Council’s spokesperson, urged composure but stated that the ruling would not hold up over time.

According to Aimofumeh, the Court of Appeal is being asked to interpret and decide whether Lukman Akemokhue violated the law by failing to petition the State Executive Council in order to contest his dismissal as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

“As all essential legal procedures have been invoked to guarantee that this flagrant misreading of the law is overturned, I kindly ask the good people of Okpella to be calm and alert.

“The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella has directed our legal team to challenge this blatant injustice by going to the Court of Appeal.”

“I will keep the Okpella community, the business community, and Okpella’s friends worldwide informed about any new developments.

It is recommended that our people go about their everyday lives without worrying about being molested. He continued, “Every security measure has been implemented to guarantee the safety of people and property both inside and outside the community.”

The Edo State Government responded by cautioning the kingdom’s citizens against self-help.

Festus Ebea, the state’s Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, said in a statement that the state’s Attorney General had already started the appeal and stay of execution procedure.

Nonetheless, he counselled everyone to keep things as they are in order to prevent any collapse of law and order.

“Let it be made very clear that any act of self-help, forceful takeover, intimidation, or disruption of Okpella’s traditional institution by any party is unlawful, unacceptable, and will be subject to the full force of the law.”

Therefore, any attempt to circumvent the courts or weaken its power will not be accepted by the Edo State Government.

He said, “All Okpella community members, groups, and stakeholders are hereby advised to remain composed, uphold peace, refrain from provocative actions, and allow the judicial process to unfold without obstruction.”

Security agencies have been placed on red alert for any unfavourable development, according to Ebea, who also warned that the state administration will take swift, decisive action against anyone who tries to disrupt public order or jeopardise communal cohesion and security.