A High Court sitting in Iyara, presided over by Justice F. Ajayi has dismissed and nullified, while setting aside, the purported nomination, selection, appointment and the consequential approval of the appointment of Chief Mike Akin Obamero.
The suit No: KGS/KHC/19/12 was instituted by Chief Dele John Abejirin , and on behalf of Okedale lineage of Gbeleko in Kabba Local Government Area of Kogi State against Chief Obamero, restraining him from parading himself as the Oba of Gbeleko kingdom.
The claimant submitted that it is the turn of Okedale lineage of Gbeleko to select or nominate candidate for appointment to the stool of Oba of Gbeleko, therefore the court should stop the defendant from performing any function whatsoever relating to the office of Oba of Gbeleko.
Counsel to Abejirin, J.O.Umakhihe Esq submitted it is the turn of Okedele lineage of Gbeleko to select or nominate candidate for appointment to the stool of Oba of Gbeleko and that his client from Okedale lineage was nominated by the four lineage of Gbeleko to ascend the stool.
In his judgment, Justice Ajayi declared that there are four lineages in Gbeleko which are in order of seniority, Okedale, Idi-Atorin, Idi-Ahun, and Idi-Akitipa (Omobabaolko), that the Obaship of Gbeleko rotates among the four lineages of Gbeleko.
According to the Judgment, “an order of injunction restraining Akin Obamero from parading himself and or holding himself out as the Oba of Gbeleko, appointment pursuant to nomination or recommendation made by the committees on the rotation of the stool set up by the Obaro of Kabba.”
Meanwhile, the Omosho (Ogbagi)- Gbeleko Royal family council of the Kingmakers have recommended and re-presented Chief Dele John Abejirin as fit and proper candidate to the exalted stool of Gbeleko Obaship to the Obaro of Kabba, the Obadofin of Oweland, the Obajemu of Oweland and the Owe-Okemeta.
