PRESS RELEASE ON THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT ON THE OKPE UNION SUIT.
Earlier today, the Lead Counsel in our substantive case at the Federal High Court, Lagos, Barr. Victor Ogude, SAN, informed the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union that the judgement has been delivered in favour of the Okpe Union led by Prof Igho Natufe.
Recall that the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union had approached the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to, among other reliefs:
1. Determine if the purported dissolution of the elected National Executive Council and imposition of another by the Orodje of Okpe on the 3rd of October, 2020 was illegal and if so declare the action void and of no effect whatsoever.
2. For AN ORDER of Perpetual Injunction restraining the 1st Defendant and other members of his interim management committee (Prof. Idolor group) from parading themselves as the Management Committee of the Plaintiff.
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3. For AN ORDER of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant (the Corporate Affairs Commission), their servants, agents and/or privies from recognizing, processing, considering, assenting, conferring legitimacy or giving effect to any act, directive or process initiated by the 1st and 3rd Defendants (Prof. Idolor led group and the Orodje of Okpe) to manage or take over the affairs of the Okpe Union.
Since the purported dissolution, the democratically elected leadership of the Okpe Union sought avenues for a peaceful resolution of the conflict with HRM Orhue l to no avail. Believing in the righteousness of our position, anchored on the imperative of democratic practice and the need to enthrone and sustain democracy in Okpe Nation, we sued the leadership of the illegal interim regime and prayed the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to prohibit them from parading themselves as leaders of the Okpe Union.
In his judgement today, January 19, 2023, Hon. Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa ruled in our favour as all our reliefs against the illegal interim regime were granted. In the view of a highly respected Okpe elder, this was “an avoidable” conflict if only reason had prevailed on October 3, 2020.
While the judgement is a huge victory for the Okpe Union, we strongly emphasize that it is primarily a victory for the entire Okpe Nation as it establishes a solid base for the building of democratic institutions in Okpe Kingdom. It is a victory for pluralism in Okpe Nation and respect for the Constitution and autonomy of the Okpe Union.
Thus, this is a victory for ALL Okpe, including our brothers and sisters that participated in or supported the purported interim regime. They are welcome to any of the branches of Okpe Union.
The Okpe Union tent is big enough to accommodate all Okpe that are genuinely interested and committed to the articulation and recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, and not a sub-group of any ethnic nationality.
It remains our firm belief that the growth and development of Okpe Nation can only be achieved via a successful pursuit of the Okpe Identity agenda.
In conclusion, we thank members of the Okpe Union in Nigeria, and in the Diaspora as well as other Okpe nationals for their steadfast support of the Union.
Let us continue this exceptional spirit of unity that has defined the trajectory of Okpe Union since its inception in 1930.
God Bless the Okpe Union!
God Bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom!
God Bless the Okpe Nation!
Signed:
Prof. O. Igho Natufe
President General.
Akpederin Kingsley Ehensiri Esq
General Secretary.
