A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has, on Monday, dismissed His Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tajani Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

While the full details of the ruling are still unclear, the presiding judge, Justice Salisu Umar of High Court 6, instructed the defendant to cease representing himself as the paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland.

The case, numbered HCO/05C/2024, was filed by Dr. Barnabas Adeku Ojiah and two other plaintiffs against the Governor of Kogi State. However, the judge did not grant one of the plaintiffs’ requests, which sought to compel the Kogi State Governor to initiate a new process in line with the proper procedures for the nomination and appointment of the Ohinoyi.

The case involved three defendants: the Governor of Kogi State (first defendant), the Attorney General of Kogi State (second defendant), and Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tajani Anaje (third defendant).

Anaje, who was appointed by former Governor Yahaya Bello just before his tenure ended, is now required to step down following the court's decision.