The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has granted the Onogie of Ewu, His Royal Highness Jafaru Isesele I, leave to institute judicial review proceedings against the Edo State Government over the alleged failure to implement a Supreme Court judgment recognising him as the rightful traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom.
The court also granted a Garnishee Order Nisi in a separate proceeding to facilitate the recovery of ₦13 million in judgment costs awarded in his favour against Prince Rasak Ogiefo.
Both orders were made by Justice I. O. Omotoso following separate applications filed by Isesele on September 30 and October 7, 2026.
The judicial review application was brought against the Edo State Governor, the State Executive Council, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Esan Central Local Government Council and the Esan Central Traditional Council.
Isesele is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s July 19, 2024 judgment in the longstanding Ewu chieftaincy dispute.
The reliefs sought include formal recognition as Onogie of Ewu, the issuance of a Staff of Office and certificate of recognition, and other administrative steps necessary to give effect to the apex court’s decision.
He also asked the court to direct the payment of financial benefits attached to the traditional office, which he said had been established in earlier court decisions.
Relying on Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Isesele argued that the Supreme Court judgment was binding on the relevant authorities and ought to be implemented.
Justice Omotoso granted leave for the judicial review proceedings to commence and directed that the Motion on Notice be served on the respondents.
The court adjourned the substantive application to January 19, 2027.
The judge’s ruling allows Isesele to pursue the case but does not amount to a final order compelling the state government to implement the Supreme Court judgment.
Court grants garnishee order over ₦13m
In a related proceeding, Isesele sought to recover ₦13 million in costs awarded against Prince Ogiefo by the Supreme Court.
The amount comprises ₦3 million awarded in the July 19, 2024 judgment and a further ₦10 million awarded in a ruling delivered on June 5, 2026.
The costs arose from proceedings connected with the Ewu chieftaincy dispute.
To enforce the awards, Isesele applied for an order attaching funds standing to Ogiefo’s credit in identified bank accounts, including an account with Zenith Bank, up to the amount required to satisfy the outstanding costs.
After considering the affidavit evidence, exhibits and written address filed by the applicant’s counsel, the court granted a Garnishee Order Nisi.
The order directs the garnishee to show cause why it should not be made absolute.
The matter was adjourned to December 16, 2026, for further proceedings.
The order remains provisional pending the garnishee’s response and the court’s decision on whether it should be made absolute.
The two cases concern separate aspects of the dispute: the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s recognition of Isesele as Onogie of Ewu, and the recovery of monetary costs awarded against Prince Ogiefo.
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