By Mercy Akuba
A High Court sitting in Oleh, in Delta State has ordered that Prince Sunday Eloho-Eke continue in office as the substantive President-General of Uzere Kingdom pending the determination of an appeal.
The court also barred rival claimants from taking over leadership positions in the community.
The ruling was delivered by Justice C.O. Emidoniye in Suit No. HCO/M/26/2026.
The court directed all parties in the protracted leadership dispute to maintain the status quo as it existed before a controversial letter dated December 3, 2025.
The order specifically restrained the 4th to 6th defendants/appellants ; Raphael Odorewu, Edafemako Agbaka, and Solomon Ogueri from parading themselves or acting as members of the Central Executive Committee of Uzere Kingdom until the determination of the appeal.
Justice Emidoniye also granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, and other respondents, from implementing or acting on directives contained in the disputed December 3, 2025 letter.
The court ordered a temporary suspension of those directives pending the outcome of the appeal.
The court awarded costs of N1 million against the 4th to 6th respondents in favour of the applicant, Christiana Okrunu.
It further directed the general public, including companies operating in Uzere Kingdom, to continue official dealings with Prince Eloho-Eke as the substantive President-General.
This ruling marks the latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the tenure of the Uzere Community Executive Council.
An earlier judgment delivered on December 20, 2024, in Suit No. MCO/26/2024, had reaffirmed the supremacy of the Delta State Community Development Association (CDA) Law over the Uzere Constitution in regulating leadership tenure within the community.
According to the Delta State Gazette dated January 22, 2022, Article 9, Section 4 provides that:
“All officers of the CDA shall hold office for a period of three years and may be re-elected for another term of three years.”
.
The court had previously ruled that the purported amended constitution of Uzere Kingdom (2022) is subordinate to the Delta State Community Development Association Law of 2021, which sets a three-year tenure for community executives.
Reacting to the ruling, Prince Eloho-Eke called on indigenes of Uzere Kingdom to embrace peace, unity, and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking in a statement made available to journalists in Ughelli, he urged stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as efforts continue toward reconciliation and development.
“Today, following yet another clear pronouncement of the court affirming justice, legality, and due process, I address you not in bitterness, but in the spirit of reconciliation, unity, and collective progress,” he said.
He emphasized that respect for judicial decisions is fundamental to societal progress, warning that no community can thrive where lawful judgments are ignored or selectively obeyed.
Describing the ruling as a collective victory, he added:
“This is not a victory for one man; it is a victory for justice, for due process, and for the integrity and future of Uzere Kingdom.”
The President-General also extended a hand of fellowship to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and indigenes at home and in the diaspora, reaffirming his commitment to peace and development.
He cautioned against actions capable of undermining peace or violating lawful directives, urging aggrieved parties to respect judicial authority and work together for the progress of the kingdom.
“This is the time for healing. This is the time for reconciliation. This is the time for unity,” he declared.
Prince Eloho-Eke concluded by calling on all sons and daughters of Uzere Kingdom to remain peaceful and committed to building a stronger and more prosperous community.
.