Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton-Karfe division on Wednesday, 9th April 2025 has decline Jurisdiction in a suit involving the representative of Sarkin Noma Kporoka and Danko areas of Lokoja against the Isegba family of Felele community all in Lokoja.
This is just as the malicious and misinterpretation making the rounds, that the Court has declared ownership and control of the Identified Areas in favour of Isegba Obba Family of Felele, was not true.
According to the lead counsel to the claimant, Barr. Katu Abdullahi Sule Esq, said the information being bandied by the defendant is incorrect, misleading and capable of breaching the age long peace and harmonious coexistence in Lokoja and it’s environ.
He stated that , it has become imperative to make the following clarifications in order to set the record straight.
“The Representatives of Sarkin Noma, Kporoka and Danko Areas of Lokoja, Kog State approached the High Court of Justice, sitting at Koton Karfe for the determination of effect of earlier judgements of the Court obtained in the absence of the claimant’s communities who are in actual possession and control of the lands since time immemorial.
“This is because, the Judgements were obtained against non natives and not any members of Sarkin Noma, Kproka and Danko Areas of Lokoja, Kogi State, the Isegba/Obba Family of Felele cannot seek to enforce them against the aforementioned communities who were not parties to the suits. Invariably, it is common logic that ‘you can’t shave a man’s hair in his absence.
“In the determination of the suit, and without getting into details or merit of the case, the court in its wisdom considered that since the earlier decisions in aforementioned cases were decided by courts of coordinate jurisdiction, It will be inappropriate for it to comment on the details of the case.
“This is because, courts of coordinate jurisdictions are deemed to be one and the same and should not be seen as reviewing its decision. The Court then proceeded to observe that the effects of the decisions paraded by the Isegba/Obba Family of Felele can only be determined by the court of Appeal which is a superior court to the High Court of Justice which decisions are paraded.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to reiterate clearly that the High Court of Justice Koton-Karfe in its judgment delivered today, Wednesday the 9th day of April, 2025 did not make any declaration of ownership or title to land in favour of Isegba/Obba Family of Felele or anyone else”
Additionally, no cost was awarded by the court in favour of the lsegba/Obba Family of Felele as it is being illegally peddled around.
“It is on the foregoing that we invite all well-meaning citizens to disregard the narratives that have being put in public domain by members of lsegba/Obba Family of Felele or anyone else suggesting that the court declared or affirmed their rights of ownership over the land and waters. We implore everyone to remain calm and accordingly go about their lawful businesses” he said.
