A Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has sacked Alhaji Tijani Ahmed-Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The court ruled that his appointment did not follow due process.
The judgment was delivered on Monday by Justice Umar Salisu, who directed Ahmed-Anaje to stop presenting himself as the traditional ruler.
The case was filed in December by Chief Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf, and Abdulrahaam Suberu.
They challenged the appointment made by former Governor Yahaya Bello, arguing that it violated the Procedure of Ascension to the Throne of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Edict No. 3 of 1997.
The plaintiffs, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Lawal Rabana, claimed that the selection process was not carried out properly.
They also alleged that those who recommended Ahmed-Anaje were not legitimate kingmakers, making the entire process invalid.
They requested a court order to nullify the appointment and prevent the government from recognizing Ahmed-Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The defendants in the case included Governor Ahmed Ododo, the state’s Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi, and Ahmed-Anaje himself.
Through their legal representatives, they urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that it lacked merit.
However, Justice Salisu ruled in favour of the plaintiffs and ordered a fresh selection process to fill the traditional stool.
The contest for the throne began after the death of the previous Ohinoyi, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, on October 29, 2024, at the age of 94.
Following his passing, 70 candidates from four out of the five eligible districts in Kogi State—Okewe, Ohema, Erika, and Aganiye—applied for the position.
A selection committee was set up to screen the candidates, which eventually led to Ahmed-Anaje’s appointment.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Governor Ododo called for calm and urged citizens to respect the rule of law.
The state’s Attorney General, Muzi Abdullahi, expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal.
He stated that the court did not consider some objections raised by the government and insisted that the judgment would not stand.
