By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A Benin High court sitting in Benin city, Edo State has commenced the hearing of suit filled against the Iyatsere of Warri kingdom, chief Johnson Aseleghe over his continuous parading of himself as the traditional ruler of Ologbo dukedom and to also restrain him from seeding lands that belongs to the dukedom.
The case which came up for hearing on Wednesday under Justice V.I Okungbowa seeks to restrain the defendant, chief Aseleghe and his agent from carrying out actions that is capable of compromising the peace in Ologbo.
The claimant, the Enogie of Ologbo dukedom, Prince Owen Jason Akenzua’ had filed a motion through his solicitor Chris Uyi Otasowie Esq, asking the court to order an interlocutory injunction restraining Johnson Aseleghe pending the determination and arrival at a substantial ruling.
According to Otasowie Esq, What we are asking this honourable court to do my Lord is to put an interlocutory injunction detterring the defendant, so that Ologbo dukedom can start experiencing peace pending when a substantial page is arrived at.
‘Because of the distructions of life and properties supported with various exhibits it is very paramount to order chief Aseleghe to stay put and face the traditional activities of the warri kingdom’
‘Since 1995 till date no court has told the defendant that he has no right to be carrying out what he is doing by assuming the role of the traditional ruler of the dukedom, it on gazette that all this villages withing Ologbo are under the control of the dukedom in Benin kingdom not someone coming from warri kingdom in Delta State to start laying claim all because he can access some of this villages through Delta.
The solicitor to Ologbo Enogie avered that the neferious activities of the defendant which is now over bearing is not properly checked could lead to a situation that may not be palatable hence tje need for the court to urgently look into the matter as it bothers on the life amd properties of the people.
He noted that it will benefit the entire Ologbo and Edo state if the defendant is told to stay clear from any activities that bothers on contractual and indigeneou activities withing the dukedom.
‘my Lord we are tired, Ologbo issue is a recurring decimal. If the defendant is told to stay off Ologbo activities, this will bring a lasting solution just as the order of court remains sacrosanct, look at the court Premises, you can see the indigenes of Ologbo dukedom coming with the Enogie because they know this is were they can get freedom outside God Almighty. This era is no longer the era of conquest he argued.
Meanwhile, Chief Johnson Aseleghe was not represented by anyone nor his counsel in court.
Justice V.I Okungbowa in his submission adjourned the case to September 25th 2020 for ruling.
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