Court orders Status Quo in Oba Family suit challenging appointment of family Head in Okpella
A High Court sitting in Agenebode, Edo State, on Monday, February 9, 2026, ordered all parties in a chieftaincy-related suit involving the Oba family of Imiokpe, Iddo, Okpella, to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of outstanding applications.
The suit, Oba & Ors v. HRH Michael Sado, challenges plans by the Okuokpellagbe to appoint a head for the Oba family without the consent or involvement of the family.
When the matter came up before the court sitting at Fugar, counsel to the defendant, D.L. Aimofumeh, moved an application seeking leave to file a counter-affidavit out of time. The application was granted by the court without opposition.
Counsel to the Oba family, Prof. A.O.O. Ekpu, subsequently requested time to respond to the counter-affidavit. He also urged the court to restrain the planned coronation ceremony scheduled for February 14, 2026, pending the determination of the suit, arguing that it directly affects the interests of the Oba family.
Following arguments from both parties, the presiding judge ruled that, in view of the pending motions before the court, all parties must maintain the status quo. The court consequently adjourned the matter to February 24, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.
The ruling effectively restrains both parties from taking any action related to the disputed appointment until the court determines the pending motions.
