Uncertainty hangs around the legitimacy of the third-class traditional ruler, the Tii Ichen-Kurmi 2, Justice Emmanuel Dodo Audu, and eight new district heads who were appointed by Governor Darius Ishaku in spite of a court order restraining them from assuming the position.
The traditional ruler had on Thursday presented letters of appointment to the eighth district heads under his chiefdom in spite of the court injunction restraining the action.
The High Court of Justice, Jalingo Division, before Justice Nuhu S. Adi, had on 3rd May 2023 granted an application by the plaintiffs: Fhatso Nwunuji Tukura, Williams Ibrahim Yamusa, Amos Danazumi Shamaki, Danladi Adamah, Umar D. Uriah and Danladi Danbeki restraining Justice Emmanuel Dodo Audu from parading himself as the Tii Ichen-Kurmi.
The defendants in the suit are: The Executive Governor of Taraba State, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Attorney General of Taraba State and Justice Emmanuel Dodo Audu as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.
According to the Court Order with Suit no:TRSJ/118/2022, made available to SUNDAY STANDARD by Counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr Ibrahim Effiong, the judge granted an interim injunction “restraining the 4th defendant/respondent from parading or holding out himself in whatsoever manner as the Tii Ichen-Kurmi, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated the 1st day of May, 2023”.
The Order also restrained “the 4th defendant/respondent, including his assigns, agents and legal representatives in whatever name called, from acting in whatsoever manner in relation to the stool or office of Tii Ichen-Kurmi, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice for Interlocutory injunction dated the 1st day of May,2023”.
The Order also restrained the 4th defendant from taking any step that is detrimental to the interests of the plaintiffs “including but not limited to creation of new districts, appointment and coronation of District Heads in Ichen-Kurmi chiefdom pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory injunction dated the 1st day of May, 2023”.
But the traditional ruler, Justice Emmanuel Dodo Audu, in a ceremony held in his residence in Jalingo, granted official letters to the new district heads despite the court order.
According to Counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr Ibrahim Offiong, the action of the state governor and the traditional ruler was a violation of the court order earlier granted by the court.
Speaking with journalists after the event, the traditional ruler who was one time President, Customary Court of Appeal, gave reasons why he held the event at his residence in Jalingo instead of Kurmi the council headquarters.
“From the appointment of the district head and even to my own appointment, there have been so many challenges. Even when I was making recommendations for these district heads, I had a vine story that there were people who were not happy and that they would make sure they frustrate me,” he disclosed.
On the court order, he said he decided to go on with the ceremony and later on look at the court summons.
According to him, he was instrumental to the creation of more districts in his domain and had the interest of the people at heart.
“And even now, I have been receiving summons from the court. Yesterday evening, they were very busy in court trying to see how they could stop me. So, after this I would be receiving the summons to know what it contains.
“Initially, we had three districts by the government order of 2018. So, I felt we should increase it. If the governor should create more chiefdoms to give people a sense of belonging, let me learn from that. So, I decided to increase it,” he added.
