Okpella Stool War: ‘Court Has Restored Akemokue, Sado Only Enjoying Okpebholo’s Neutrality’

Akemokue Camp: Appeal, Stay Application Cannot Rewrite Existing Judgment

The lingering battle over the Okuokpellagbe stool of Okpella has taken a fresh and more combative turn, with supporters of HRH Lukman Akemokue declaring that the court has already restored the legal effect of his appointment and that Mike Sado’s continued claim to the traditional stool is without legal foundation.

The Akemokue camp also dismissed attempts to drag Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, into the chieftaincy dispute, describing the governor as a father to all and insisting that his administration’s neutrality should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Sado’s claim.

According to the camp, any communication between Akemokue and the Edo State Government regarding his return to Okpella would be strictly for security purposes and out of respect for the governor, rather than because such notification constitutes a legal requirement.

“Formally and legally, only an acknowledged letter of notification is enough to the government for security reasons,” the camp said.

The group argued that the judgment of the court has effectively revived Akemokue’s letter of appointment and staff of office, while taking away the legal effect of Sado’s own appointment documents.

It further rejected Sado’s reliance on an alleged official communication from the Secretary to the State Government to the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs.

“That communication is not needed in HRH Lukman Akemokue’s case,” the group declared, accusing Sado’s lawyers of either misleading their client or leaving him with a distorted understanding of the legal situation.

The camp stressed that Akemokue’s case should not be confused with that of HRH Francis Alimikhena, where, according to the group, the government complied with a court judgment by issuing a fresh letter of appointment.

At the heart of the latest argument is the legal effect of the judgment and the pending appeal.

The Akemokue camp insisted that the mere filing of an appeal or an application for stay of execution does not automatically suspend the operation or effect of a court judgment.

“In HRH Lukman Akemokue’s case, the court has given life to his letter of appointment. The appeal by Mike Sado and the state government and a mere filing for a stay of execution does not pause such declaratory judgment,” it said.

The group therefore maintained that, unless the judgment is overturned on appeal or its operation is specifically stayed by a competent court, Akemokue remains the person entitled to exercise the authority attached to the office.

“Until the outcome of the appeal or granting of a stay of execution, life has been given back to HRH Lukman Akemokue’s letter of appointment and he is the current Okuokpellagbe of Okpella,” the camp declared.

It went further, asserting that Akemokue alone can presently sign documents, negotiate and undertake official engagements on behalf of Okpella in his capacity as Okuokpellagbe.

The statement also fired directly at Mike Sado, accusing him of continuing to operate under the cover of the Edo State Government’s neutrality.

“Mike Sado is only impersonating by enjoying the neutrality of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” the group alleged.

The camp, however, maintained that it does not question Governor Okpebholo’s neutrality.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo is a father to all. We have no reason to doubt his neutrality even though bringing his name into it is the last hope of Mike Sado,” it said.

The group argued that notifying the government of Akemokue’s return would simply demonstrate responsibility and concern for public safety.

It said an acknowledged notification letter stating the date of Akemokue’s arrival would be sufficient evidence that the government had been informed.

The statement became particularly scathing when it turned to Sado’s public assertions about his capacity and understanding of the legal dispute.

“Mike Sado is like an ant to HRH Lukman Akemokue,” the camp declared, adding that his earlier claim of possessing greater capacity was merely intended to encourage his supporters.

It also mocked Sado over his alleged misunderstanding of a legal document.

“A man that is mistaken Form 47 for contempt of court cannot be taken seriously,” the group said.

The camp added that Akemokue’s actions were being guided by a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, professors of law and lawyers with extensive experience.

The group also pointed to what it described as Sado’s own admission that he was not invited to the Abuja meeting at the centre of the dispute.

It argued that Sado had equally acknowledged that the judgment was declaratory and contained a consequential order flowing from it.

“Perhaps, his lawyers did not tell him that the consequential order cannot exist independently. They also forgot to tell him that such judgment takes effect immediately,” the group said.

The Akemokue camp concluded by asserting that its principal was already conducting meetings, negotiations and other engagements on behalf of Okpella.

“HRH Lukman Akemokue is currently busy with many meetings, negotiations, and events on behalf of Okpella in his capacity as the current Okuokpellagbe of Okpella,” it said.

“The opinion of Mike Sado and his agents is currently irrelevant.”

The latest statement is expected to further intensify the already volatile dispute over the traditional leadership of Okpella, as both sides continue to stake competing claims to legitimacy while the legal battle remains before the appellate courts.