Delta court removes ex-minister Agbabu as traditional titleholder

The Delta State Customary Court of Appeal sitting in Asaba has stripped Ashimedua Agbabu, a former Minister of State for Agriculture, of the Onishe (kingmaker) title of Ubulu Uno Kingdom.

Agbabu, who served during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, was removed following a protracted legal tussle over the title in Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State.

The case, brought by Andrew Nwanokwai and four others, challenged the conferment of the Onishe title on Agbabu, arguing that only the Umuokpa and Idumu-Onishe families of Umuolo village, Anioshe Quarters, have the exclusive right to produce the titleholder under Ubulu Uno native laws and customs.

The plaintiffs sought declarations that:

• The first defendant lacked the authority to confer the title on Agbabu or anyone outside the designated families.
• A perpetual injunction should restrain Agbabu from parading himself as the Onishe or receiving related privileges.

In a judgment delivered by Justice G. N. Dele Okafor, the court granted most of the plaintiffs’ prayers. Justice Okafor declared that the first defendant could not confer the Onishe title on Agbabu or any person outside the Umuokpa and Idumu-Onishe families.

The court directed the installation of the fifth plaintiff, Onuwa Aniagwu, as the Onishe or the initiation of a fresh selection process restricted to the two eligible families.

Both defendants were permanently restrained from recognizing or parading Agbabu as the Onishe.