By Austin Ogwuda
An Asaba High Court, Delta State, Nigeria, has granted an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, by himself, his servants and agents from resorting to the use of force in implementing the contents of his Letter purportedly suspending or ostracising from Asaba Community and removing from office, the Acting Village Head (Onu-Diokpa) of Umuezeafadia Family of Asaba, Ogbueshi Christopher Onyemenam, for daring to file a case in Court against an arm of Asaba Traditional Government.
The Court presided over by Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro equally restrained the Asagba by himself and agents from interfering with the day to day Traditional management of Umuezeafadia Family by the Claimants, the Village Head and Members of Umuezeafadia Family of Asaba or resorting to the use of force in taking over the Traditional Residence/Meeting Hall of Umuezeafadia Village of Asaba.
The ruling followed a Motion Exparte seeking for an Order of interim injunction retraining 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants by themselves, their agents and privies from resorting to the use of force in implementing the contents of their letter the subject of the present dispute or Suit dated 24th October 2024 by barring the 2nd and 4th Claimants/Applicants from attending meetings or social functions in Asaba and from resorting to force by physically taking over the Umuezeafadia Family Hall known as Uga Ezeafadia so as to wrestle control and unilaterally hand over the Headship of Umuezeafadia Village currently headed by the 1st, 2nd Claimants/Applicants to the 3rd defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed for the same purpose.
Or Alternatively an Order directing both parties to maintain the Status Quo Ante-Bellum or the position of things before the present dispute erupted vide 1st and 2nd defendants’ letter pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for the same purpose.
The plaintiffs are:
1.Ogbueshi Benedict Ajulu Onyemenam (Diokpa/Village Head Umuezeafadia Village of Asaba)
2.Ogbueshi Christopher Onyemenam (acting Village Head/Diokpa (Onu Diokpa Umuezeafadia Village of Asaba
3.Ogbueshi Anthony Okolie
4.Ogbueshi Ifeanyi Nworji
5. Ogbueshi Nnamdi Onyemenam
Ruling, the Judge stated that “having heard Chike George Onyemenam SAN with Promise Nwokoro Esq and Victor Egbuche Esq for the Claimant/Applicants order as follows:
