Rebisi Kingship Tussle: court restrains parties
…says the stool and the rest belong to court
Rivers State High court in Port Harcourt the state capital yesterday ordered parties in the disputed Paramount rulership of Port Harcourt ( Eze Apara Rebisi traditional institution), to steer clear until the court determines the rightful occupant.
The presiding Judge Justice Tamuno-Igoni Oji also warned that no party should lay further claim to the stool for now; and that they (parties), should respect the court order , adding that the stool and all that concerns it have become the property of court at least for now, urging the court to respect the fact.
Eze Apara Rebisi stool became vacant following the death of the last occupant, HRM Eze Sunday Woluchem XI in 2011. He reigned for 10 years.
Two persons, including one of the sons, Prince Victor Nnanna Woluchem and Uche Isaiah Elikwu, a lawyer were at different ceremonies, in August last year installed to the first class traditional institution.
The state governor, Chibuike Amaechi has recognized Victor Woluchem as the Eze Apara Rebisi (X11).
Shortly after the installation the third contender, who is the paramount ruler of Oroworukwo, one of the seven communities that reportedly make up Rebisi Kingdom, HRH Eze Emeka Anyebelem emerged.
He approached the court to restrain the other two from parading themselves as the substantive Monarch of the state capital.
He claimed that it is the turn of his community to produce the next Monarch.
Anyabelem also prayed the court to declare him the rightful person to occupy the stool, just as she (court), should order that he be sworn-in.
the stool is not hereditary, it was arranged to go round the sons of the Kingdom.
Making the order yesterday, Justice Oji said, “Parties in this matter should maintain status quo, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.
“the stool and the rest belong to the court and parties should respect this fact.
“No party should lay claim to the stool until the case is determined.” He insisted.
Earlier, the appellant council James Ocholi had informed the court that the state governor, Chibuke Amaechi recently gave recognition to one of the parties, enrolling him into the lists of first class chiefs of the state without recourse that the matter is before the court.
The court seriously frawned at the development and ordered that the governor Amaechi and the Attorny-General of the state, Worgu Boms, who are the 9th and 10 defendants in the case be served with the order.
The court at the last sitting in February ordered that they (Amaechi and Boms) be served and invited to the yesterday’s sitting as parties in the suit.
They were however not represented at the session.
The court promised to give accelerated hearing to the case. She later adjourned it till May 21, for hearing.
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