A Lokoja High Court on Tuesday restrained the Kogi State Government from installing Simeon Ujah, as the new Eje of Olamaboro, in Olamaboro Local Government Area.
Justice Henry Olusiyi, who issued the interim order, restrained Ujah from parading himself as the Eje of Olamaboro pending the determination of the suit.
Olusiyi said that the plaintiff, Chief James Akor, had established a good case for his application for interim injunction to succeed.
The judge ordered that the plaintiff would indemnify the defendants if it turned out that the application ought not to have been made in the first place.
Olusiyi adjourned the case until Oct. 3, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Realwan Okpanachi, had urged the court to restrain Ujah from parading himself as the Eje pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He also urged the court to restrain Kogi State Government from installing Ujah as the Eje of Olamaboro, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
Joined as co-defendants were Kogi State Government, Attorney-General of Kogi, Igala Area Traditional Council, and Olamaboro Local Government Traditional Council.
In a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion and deposed to by the claimant, Akor said that he contested the stool of Eje Olamaboro with Ujah and was nominated by the people of Ogugu District and Olamoboro Local Government.
He said that there was palpable fear, tension and apprehension in Olamaboro as a result of Ujah’s appointment by the state government and the planned installation against the people’s wish.