Edo High Court sacks Sado as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, reinstate dethroned Lukeman
News Edo High Court sacks Sado as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, reinstate dethroned Lukeman Published on March 28, 2026 By Enahoro Iyemefokhai googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); An Edo High Court sitting in Fugar, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state, has sacked Engr. Michael Eshiorenoya Sado as the Okuokpella of Okpella Kingdom and reinstated the dethroned Engr. Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue as the rightful traditional ruler of the kingdom. DAILY POST reports that Justice O.A. Otamere sacked the traditional ruler on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Suit No. HAG/12/2025 brought before it by Engr. Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue, the dethroned Okuokpellagbe of the Okpella Kingdom. The defendants in the suit are Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State; the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; and the State Commissioner for Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); Others are the Etsako East Traditional Council, High Chief Ayuba Acheku, and Michael Eshiorenoya Olorunfemi Sado. In its judgment, the court averred that Engr. Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue was not given a fair hearing before he was dethroned as Okuokpellagbe of the Okpella Kingdom by Governor Monday Okpebholo on April 30, 2025. The court opined that the state governor did not prove that he complied with the provisions of the law before withdrawing the recognition of the claimant as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, noting that such withdrawal without due process is an abuse of office and should not be allowed to stand. Otamere added that allowing the governor’s action to stand would not only defeat the spirit and letter of the ageless and timeless principle of audi alteram partem, which has since found its way into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) (as amended), but would also make a mockery of the provisions of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs’ Edict of 1979. “That the purported removal of the claimant as Okuokpellagbe (Traditional Ruler) of Okpella, vide Government Special Announcement dated April 30, 2025, arbitrarily without giving him a hearing on any alleged wrongdoing against him is contrary to his right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and therefore null and void,” he said. The judge, who resolved all issues for determination in the suit in favour of the claimant, noted that there was no doubt that he (Engr. Lukeman Oghehemhimhe Akemokhue) was duly appointed as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella on September 22, 2024. The court also ruled that the claimant remains the Okuokpellagbe (Traditional Ruler) of Okpella and is therefore entitled to function in that capacity and to receive all the perquisites attached to the office. It also ordered that the claimant is entitled to continue to attend meetings of the fourth defendant (the Etsako East Traditional Council). The judge, who agreed with the submissions of counsel to the claimant, made a consequential order directing the sixth defendant (Michael Eshiorenoya Olorunfemi Sado) to vacate the throne as Okuokpellagbe (Traditional Ruler) of Okpella forthwith. He also averred that the appointment of the claimant by the state government on September 22, 2024, was duly gazetted for the information of the general public as required by law. He posited that the state government, however, by a special notice published and widely circulated on various social media platforms, revoked the appointment of the claimant without notice of any wrongdoing or allowing him to defend himself against any allegation. Reacting to the judgment, the spokesperson for the Okpella Traditional Council, Hanson Aimofumeh, while urging calm, said the judgment cannot stand the test of time. Aimofumeh said the Court of Appeal is being approached to interpret and determine whether Lukman Akemokhue slept on his right when he failed to challenge his removal as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella by petitioning the State Executive Council, as provided for by law. “My appeal to the good people of Okpella is to remain calm and vigilant, as all necessary legal remedies have been invoked to ensure that this blatant misinterpretation of the law is reversed. “The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella has instructed our team of lawyers to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this naked miscarriage of justice. “I will continue to update the people of Okpella, the business community and indeed, friends of Okpella around the world on any further developments. “Our people are advised to go about their daily activities without any fear of molestation. All security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property within the community and beyond,” he added. Also reacting, the Edo State Government warned the people of the kingdom against self-help. A statement by Festus Ebea, Commissioner for Public Safety and Security in the state, said the Attorney-General of the state had already commenced the process of appeal and stay of execution. He, however, advised all parties to maintain the status quo to avoid any breakdown of law and order. “Let it be stated clearly that any act of self-help, forceful takeover, intimidation, or disruption of the traditional institution in Okpella by any party whatsoever is illegal, intolerable, and will attract the full weight of the law. “The Edo State Government will therefore not tolerate any attempt to bypass the judiciary or undermine its authority as a result. “All stakeholders, community members, and groups within the Okpella community are hereby advised to stay calm, maintain peace, avoid provocative actions, and allow the judicial process to unfold without obstruction,” he stated. Ebea said security agencies have been put on red alert over any untoward development, warning that the state government will act decisively and without hesitation against anyone who attempts to interfere with public order or threaten the security and harmony of the community. Don't Miss Oluwo bars NASS member, Mudashiru from palace over alleged neglect You may like BUA cement completes construction, begins testing facilities at its new Obu cement plant, Okpella Okpella youths protest delay in take-off of Dangote’s multi-million dollar cement plant Dangote begins construction of new 9 million tons capacity cement plants in Okpella, Itori Okpella monarch warns BUA against inciting community, reassures Dangote Dangote clears air on Okpella