The supreme court will Friday 6th of January 2023 deliver judgement on the Ngo chieftaincy tussle.
It would be recalled that the Uwuile and Egwe Oke Royal Family of Ngo had been in court over the ownership of the community, the case lingered over 50 years.
Meanwhile at a meeting brokered by the chairman of Andoni local Government Council Barrister Erastus Awortu both parties involved in the case have agreed to respect the outcome of the supreme court judgement.
Speaking shortly after a peace and security meeting organized by the Council Chairman, Barrister. Erastus Awortu on at the Council’s premises, the parties involved in the lawsuit vowed to respect outcome of the judgment.
Chief Elijah Ogodo, representing the Uwu-ile Royal House noted that the chieftancy tussle between the two major families of Uwu-ile and Egwu-oke had linggered for more than 40 years.
Chief Ogodo applauded the chairman’s proactive peace initiative and vowed to ensure law and order before and after the court judgment.
“We want to commend goovernor Nyesom Wike for accepting the people’s choice in the person of Barrister Erastus Awortu who is our chairman and who is very passionate about Andoni.
“No local government chairman has shown this level of commitment and cooperation towards enthronement of peace in Ngo town, we will queue behind him by accepting whatever verdict given by the Supreme court so as to ensure a lasting peace,” he said.
Similarly, Chief Ala John representing Egwu-oke Council of Chiefs also commended the chairman for effective cooperation with the security agencies to prevent possible breakdown of law by any aggrieved party in the suit.
“The peace meeting is quit apt as it represented the collective agreement of the Ngo people and as a traditional leader, I will enlighten my people on the various strategies so far initiated by the council and the security agencies.
“We are equally in support of the ban on all traditional masquerades and cultural performances during the yuletide season as this is one of the measures intended to further manage influx of people and human activities before and after the judgment.
Earlier, the Council Chairman, Erastus Awortu had discribed the expected Supreme Court judgment as very remarkable considering the fact that Ngo town is the council’s headquarter and the center of government in the area.
“We understand the history of violence that usually thrill chieftancy cases of such magnitude that’s why we are working closely with the security agencies, including the Bori Police Division in an effort to check eventualities.
“The long arm of the law will not spare anyone who engages in violence irrespective of status,” he said.
The council boss also announced a temporary ban on all traditional masquerades and cultural displays during the yuletide season as part of efforts to curb violence ahead of the expected court judgment.
Police Chiefs from Andoni, Bori Police Divisions, DSS and the Neighborhood Watch were present during the peace and security meeting.