Chieftaincy: Court bars Lucky Gbeneyei from parading self as Gbeneyei 1 of Ogulagha Kingdom

By Peters Monday, Abuja

Following a chieftaincy dispute, a Delta State High Court, sitting in Effurun has restrained one chief Lucky Gbeneyei from parading himself as Gbeneyei 1 of Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

This is according to a judgement delivered by Justice Roli Harriman, restraining Chief Lucky Akara Gbeneyei from referring to himself as Gbeneyei 1 of Ogulagha Kingdom.

Congress gathered that the suit was between the claimant, Chief Gbeneyei, and the defendants Elder, Captain King Joseph Timiyan, the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Torububor 1, Chief Williams Igere, Chief Prefugha Karawei and Chief Emaye Benidiwei.

The judge said in the lead judgement that Chief Gbeneyei was not conferred with the chieftaincy title of Gbeneyei 1 by the traditional ruler of Ogulagha Kingdom and as such should not have used the title in a newspaper publication.

Justice Harriman who dismissed the claims of Chief Gbeneyei with the sum of two hundred thousand naira also awarded five hundred thousand naira (N500, 000.00) as damages in favour of the defendants for libellous statements published by Chief Gbeneyei against them.

However, the court further barred Chief Gbeneyei from referring to the trio of Chief William Igere, Chief Prefugha Karawei, and Chief Emaye Benidiwei as mindless, noting that the position occupied by the monarch and his chiefs is not only one of authority but also commands respect within and outside their kingdom.

Also speaking on behalf of the other defendants on the outcome of the case, Chief Prefugha described the judgement as the square peg in a square holes, adding that it had finally put to rest the contentious chieftaincy dispute which had been lingered for over two years.