After 17 years of legal fisticuffs over who is the rightful successor to the late Isesele Obiefo II, the Onojie of Ewu Kingdom in Eastern Local Government, Edo State, who died in 1997, the Court of Appeal on February 14 ruled that Jafaru Isesele I is the legitimate successor. In this interview, the Isesele I spoke on the genesis and effects of the crisis on Ewu Kindgom and how he would make amends.
Excerpts:
Origins of the crisis
The crisis started in 1997. My father, the Royal Highness Isesele Ojeifo II, was the Onojie of Ewu Kingdom. He had a first son, Prince Yusuf Ojeifo, who predeceased him. Yusuf died in April 1997 while my father joined his ancestors on August 6, 1997.
After my father’s death, as the eldest surviving son, and in accordance with our custom and tradition, I performed his burial ceremony. But after the burial, some people were complaining that I shouldn’t have performed the burial ceremony, they preferred the grandson, Rasak, to perform the burial ceremony of my father, which negates our custom and tradition.
So, these people were aggrieved and they went to court in 1998, saying that .they wanted a grandson to takeover the throne. This has never happened in the town, and in fact, it is an abomination to our custom. Apart from what the custom says, there is a gazette, under the Bendel State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs of 1979, which is now applicable in Edo State. According to the gazette, the eldest surviving son should survive the ruler after performing the burial ceremony of his father. That supports the customs and tradition of Ewu people.
JafaruHowever, the aggrieved people insisted on going to court to challenge my legitimate right to the throne. Fortunately, in 1998, I got the first judgment in a suit they filed against my installation and was declared the legitimate successor to my father’s throne.
Unfortunately, the government then did not show much interest in the matter, which to the best of my understanding was somehow hijacked by some politicians, who were in support of Rasak. We waited endlessly for the government to present me with the staff of office after the judgment but that did not happen.
So, we went to the High Court in year 2000 to ask for our legitimate right. We argued the matter till 2005 and again, I was declared the legitimate successor to the throne of my father.
My opponents felt dissatisfied and went to the Court of Appeal, and again, on the 14th of February, 2014, the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment of the lower court, ruling that I am the rightful and legitimate person for the throne of my father and that I am the Onojie of Ewu Kingdom
Intrigues before the judgment
When the matter was at the advanced stage in the High Court in 2004, the Edo State Government presented the staff of office to Rasak. When we learnt that, my lawyer quickly filed a motion to counter the government’s action, saying that it was unlawful for the government to have done so when the matter was still in court. The presiding judge nullified the action and ruled that the staff of office presented to Rasak was illegal.
After the judgment, which came in our favour in 2005, we felt that the government would then do the right thing but they did not. Now, the Appeal Court in its judgment on February 14 did not only declare me as the winner, the court further ruled that the edict promulgated by the government is an illegal act, invalid, null and void. This means right now, I am the rightful successor to the throne of Ewu Kingdom and the true Onojie of Ewu.
Effect of the crisis on Ewu Kingdom
What do you expect in a situation where there is injustice, contradiction to tradition and customs and the people are not happy? Ewu has not been the same for a very long time now. The land has lost so much politically, economically and socially and things have not been going well in the land. The people were not happy at all but with this judgment there is relief and joy has returned to the kingdom. Their joy is that the truth prevailed in the long run.
Rift in the family before his father’s death and why some people stood in support of a grandson against the eldest son
Before my late senior brother died he tried to raise some sentiments that my father loved me more than him. But there was nothing like that. When he died, some people felt probably our father preferred me to him but that was not the issue, it was death that took him. They even alleged I killed him, which was not correct. They were only jealous and exhibiting hatred towards me.
His plans for the kingdom following the court judgment
The first thing is to reconcile the people. Like I said, we have lost so much, socially, politically and economically. The first thing is to bring the entire community together so that we can forge ahead in the scheme of things. I will ensure that everybody come together. No victor no vanquished.
On fears over his personal security as he takes over the throne
I put my trust in the Almighty God. For 17 years they did a lot. In 2002 they made an attempt to terminate my life it was God who rescued me and I still repose my confidence in the Lord to continue to save and protect me. In 2007, my junior brother, Prince Rewane was murdered right in the centre of Egwuare Ewu by hired assassins.
To prevent the injustice from recurring
I am going to rule my people with care and fear of God. When people are well treated with justice there won’t be crisis. It is only when a ruler chooses to go against the people and abandon God that he will misbehave. Where there is rule of law there will be peace and justice.
What he wants Governor Adams Oshiomhole to do for his community
There are lots of things we are lacking at present. For instance, water and roads; as we talk there is no road to the headquarters Iwu, which is Egwuare. Erosion has cut the road into two. We need help in the area of education. We need health facilities among others.
On fears over 2015 elections
My position is that our leaders should cultivate the fear of God in their hearts and they should also think about the masses, the people that voted them into office instead of pursuing their selfish agenda. They should place the interest of the people, the community and the need of Nigerians above every other thing.
I don’t have any fear that Nigeria will break up. All we need is that our leaders should work for the interest of Nigerians. If political office holders do what is expected of them, there will be peace. I strongly believe the country will not disintegrate.
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