Ewu Onogie tussle: Edo High Court summons Jafaru Isesele and three others for breach of natural justice

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has ordered one Prince Jafaru Isesele of Ewu Kingdom and three others to appear before it on the 9th of September 2026 to show cause why they should not be restrained from violating the rights to fair hearing of the Applicant, guaranteed under Section 36 (1) & (5) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. The case which was filed by way of Originating Summons and with Suit No. B/185 OS/2026, has Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo as the Applicant, with Prince Jafaru Isesele, the Attorney General of Edo State and three others as Respondents.

In paragraph 8 of the Originating Summons, the Applicant stated, inter alia that there is a long standing substantive dispute concerning the stool, status, rights, interests and entitlements connected with the office of the Onogie of Ewu Edo State. Also, in the Applicant’s motion for interim injunction, he sought for 3 reliefs and an alternative prayer.

After hearing arguments on the motion, the court presided over by Hon. Justice A.T. Momodu granted reliefs one and three out of the orders sought by Prince Razak Ogiefo, as contained on the motion paper.

On relief 1, the court ordered Prince Jafaru Isesele and three others to show cause why the Applicant’s motion for interim injunction should not be granted, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction in the suit: insofar as it affects the Applicant’s fundamental rights of fair hearing in the pending contempt proceedings of Suit No. B/457/2001 currently before the Edo State High Court.

After granting the order the court adjourned the case to the 9th of September 2026 for the hearing of the Motion on Notice and for Jafaru Isesele and three others to show cause.