Chief Hycinth Okolie has been affirmed as the rightful Ihonor of Ogwashi-Uku by the Court of Appeal in Benin, solidifying his position in the leadership of Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Following the Obi and the Iyase, the Chieftaincy title holds the third position in the traditional hierarchy within the Kingdom.
Chief Okolie emerged victorious in the hotly contested race for the prestigious title following a fierce competition in 2008.
Displeased with Chief Okolie’s appointment as the Ihonor, two of the contenders, Borniface Anyibuofu and Augustine Nwaeke Okeibunor, took their grievances to the High Court, seeking to nullify his nomination.
The two contestants initiated various suit to quash Chief Okolie’s nomination.
The cases were in suit No. 0/35/2008 betweem Roland Okolie and 5 others vs Hycinth Okolie, Suit no 0/5/2009 between Augustine Nwaeke Okeibunor and 7others vs HRM Obi (Prof) Aninshi Okonjo and Hycinth Okolie, Suit no.0/14/2010; between Diokpa Igwebuike Ntoka and 3 others vs AG Delta state, LG and Chieftaincy affairs, Diokpa Nkwor Vincent Ezieshi and Hycinth Okolie and Suit no.0/21/2014 between Augustine Nwaeke Okeibunor and 6 others vs HRM Obi (Prof) Aninshi Chukwuka Okonjo and Hycinth Okolie.
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The suits at the High Court culminated in the Appeal Court case: CA/AS/174/2018, which was determined last Wednesday.
The legal showdown came to a head at the Supreme Court, where the Justices decreed that Onowu Mike Nwaukoni holds the rightful title of Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku, concluding the legal battle.
Building on the momentum of the Iyase title verdict, the subsequent judgment highlighted the intricate power dynamics within the Kingdom.
High Chief Mike Nwaukoni’s assumption of the Iyase role in 2004 faced challenge in 2008 amidst the rise of Professor Aninshi Okonjo as the Obi and the late Obi’s determined efforts to oust the Iyase.