The High Court of Justice of Kogi State sitting at Court 7, Lokoja, on Monday, delivered judgment in a suit filed by Chief Alhaji Hussaini Saba Atojoko against H.R.H Sunday Akowe, Ejeh Dekina, and the Attah Igala.
The Claimant, who is the Enene Emakoji, had in a suit marked AYHC/09/2023 prayed the Court to set aside the appointment and beading of HRH Sunday Akowe as the Odejele Emakoji, and to declare him, Chief Alhaji Hussaini Saba Atojoko, as the owner of Emakoji land and the 19 villages under it.
The court in its judgment, affirmed the fact that the land in issue belongs to Attah Igala who is the overlord of entire Igala land, but proceeded to hold that the Enene is entitled to collect tribute on the land.
The court, however, did not nullify the appointment and beading of HRH Sunday Akowe as Odejele Emakoji as prayed by the Claimant, Chief Alhaji Hussaini Saba Atojoko in his Writ of Summons.
After the judgment, Counsel to the Claimant, E. Joseph, Esq. who spoke with our correspondent stated that he was pleased with the judgment and that the court is the last hope of the common man.
Counsel to the 1st Defendant, S. O. Akobe, Esq, told our correspondent that he is pleased with the judgment to the extent that the appointment and beading of HRH Sunday Akowe was not nullified or set aside by the court as requested by the Claimant.
He, however, stated that he would discuss with his client and explore available legal remedy regarding the judgment of the court on the issue of ownership and control of Emakoji land and the 19 villages under it.
According to the Learned Counsel, his client has right of appeal up to the Supreme Court to test the decision of the trial Judge regarding ownership of Emakoji land between the two chiefs.
“We are confident that the issue will be properly addressed by appellate courts”, the lawyer said.
