Justice Mary Asemota of the Edo State High Court in Benin City has postponed the hearing in the case involving the Oba of Benin and two suspended dukes, Enogie Gregory Akenzua of Evbuobanosa Dukedom and Enogie Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen of Egbaen Siluko Dukedom.
The case will now be heard on February 20, 2025.
In April 2023, Oba Ewuare II suspended Professor Akenzua, the Enogie of Evbuobanosa Dukedom, and Chief Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Egbaen Siluko Dukedom, over accusations of leading a rebellion against the throne. These allegations stemmed from complaints by community elders regarding Akenzua’s alleged misconduct and failure to fulfill his duties. The elders accused him of attempting to establish a parallel Benin Traditional Council (BTC) without the monarch’s consent, which they viewed as a direct challenge to the authority of the Oba.
Akenzua and Ogiegbaen filed a suit challenging their suspension. They argued that only the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, had the authority to suspend them, not the Oba.
Justice Asemota explained that the adjournment was due to a “change of guard” in the Edo State Government. She stated, “The adjournment will give the new Attorney-General, Dr. Samson Osagie, time to study and respond to the court process accordingly.”
The state Attorney-General and second defendant in the suit, Dr. Osagie, had requested the adjournment. He mentioned that it was based on a mutual agreement by lawyers representing all parties in the case.
Earlier, the claimants’ counsel, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, informed the court about an affidavit for an extension filed by the previous Attorney-General, Oluwole Osazee-Uzzi.
Representing the Oba of Benin, the first defendant, was Kingsley Obamogie and his team of lawyers. P.O. Okoduwa appeared for the Benin Traditional Council, the third defendant in the case.
