Court Strikes Out Kingship Suit Against the Olu of Warri

By Mirabel Itse

February 1, 2025

The Delta State High Court has dismissed a case brought by Prince Oyowoli Emiko against the selection and crowning of Ogiame Atuwatse III as the 21st Olu of Warri. The ruling came on Friday, January 31 after the court upheld objections raised by the legal team of Ogiamẹ Atuwatse III, who contended that the case was incompetent.

Wilson Alatsha, a member of the Olu of Warri legal team confirmed the ruling via an interview with Warri Sentinel.

Alasha disclosed that the court found that the claimant’s (Oyowoli) “grievances ought to have been presented during the 21days period provided for by Section 19 of the Traditional Rulers Council Chieftaincy laws. Hence, “This suit became a mere academic exercise by withdrawing the previous suit to file a fresh suit.

Prince Oyowoli had earlier withdrawn a previous case, W/104/21, with the court finding that the withdrawal was not for peaceful co-existence, but rather an attempt to create another opportunity to file a fresh suit, A/119/23. The court labelled the action as an attempt to “play a fast one,” which ultimately backfired.

It was noted that the letters of recommendation from the Executive Council were issued only after the case was filed, indicating that these documents were not in place at the time of filing the suit. This weakened the claimant’s position further.

The claimant’s suit was also deemed statute-barred, as it was filed beyond the allowable timeframe, further rendering it legally invalid.

In conclusion, the court upheld the preliminary objection raised by Olu of Warri legal team and dismissed the suit in its entirety.

The ruling effectively brings to an end the legal challenge against the selection of Ogiame Atuwatse III as the Olu of Warri.

Source: Warri Sentinel