Udu Kingdom Kingship Tussle: Presenting Staff Of Office To Orugbo, would be a slap on Judiciary says Ghaghara, others
By: Okome Akpobaro
Despite a pending Court Suit No OUHC/ 133/2025 challenging the selection and coronation to the throne of Udu Kingdom in Udu LGA, the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led Delta State Government is going ahead to present Staff of Office to the appointed Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Engr. Michael Orugbo as Udu King.
Against the background of the decision of the Delta State Government led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to present the Staff of Office to Engr. Michael Orugbo on Friday as the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Chief Wisdom Ghaghara and others say, it would be a slap on the Judiciary should it happen.
Chief Wisdom Ghaghara and others made this known through Dr. Martins Ahweyevu Mukoro Esq. their Attorney and legal practitioner in press briefing in Effurun.
According to Mukoro Esq, Chief Ghaghara and others have applied in court in suit No.OUHC/133/2025 to challenge Udu Council of Chiefs,- 1st Defendant and Engr Michael Orugbo who is the 6th defendant, the Attorney General of Delta State- 7th Defendant and Delta State Governor Oborevwori- 8th Defendant, saying it would be a breach of provision of the Constitution to give Staff of Office to Engr. Michael Orugbo.
He pointed out that the law says the council of Chiefs in Udu ought to notify the Ruling House in writing to kick start the process, adding that, from the day of the notification after 30 days, nomination would have closed and they would collate people nominated and publish their names throughout the communities for people’s objection or acceptance, stressing that they should have conducted an election of the Ruling House to produce the candidate and that winner be presented to the council of Chiefs to affirm as Ovie-Elect.
He however said, to their dismay, the day Council of Chiefs called for nomination of candidates was less than 30 days as the rule is concerned and they (Chief Ghaghara and others) challenged this illegality in Court.
Barr.Mukoro said:” On 1-7-2025, the claimants commenced their Suit by originating summons seeking a judicial interpretation, whether the 1st to 5th Defendants have complied with the Chieftaincy law regulating succession of Ovie of Udu which law prescribes 60 days time at the end of which the candidate of the Okporua Ruling House is to be elected as against what the 1st to 6th defendants did between 7-5-2025 and 6-6-2025, a period of 30 days…”
According to him, it was Chief Orugbo that responded by filing a preliminary objection to Ghaghara and others action was incompetent.
He said:” Only the 6th defendant filed an appearance to the suit and responded to the suit. The 6th defendant also filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the Jurisdiction of the Court to hear the case”.
Dr.Mukoro stated that while the matter is still in the court, the Delta State Executive Council which was presided by Deputy Governor, in disregard for the pending suit and reliefs sought against the defendant (Chief Michael Orugbo), have ratified the decision and fixed November 7th, 2025 to present Staff of Office to Chief Michael Orugbo.
He said:”On 9-10-25, the Delta State Executive Council presided over by the Deputy Governor rectified the election of the 6th defendant being disputed in the pending suit ,adding the fixed 7-11-25 as a date for the 8th defendant to hand over a Staff of Office to Chief Orugbo is a complete disregard for judicial function of the High Court as judicial arm of government to whom the parties who include the Governor of Delta State have agreed to promote the rule of law.
According to him, all efforts to ensure that the Staff of Office is not presented to Chief Michael Orugbo, until the case end, government is still bent on presenting the Staff of Office.
He therefore called the defendants to obey the judiciary process by waiting for judgement of the court in order not disrespect the Constitution of the country.
He however said, if they go ahead it would be flagrant disobedience to the substantive suit, they would ask the court to enforce the law.
According to the reporter All efforts to reach the Commissioner of Information and Delta State Attorney General for response failed as at the time of filing this report as their phones were switched off.
