By Bayero Ade
The Kogi State High Court has ordered a stay of execution on its earlier judgment that removed Ahmed Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
According to NAN, Justice Umar Salisu issued the directive on Thursday following an application for a stay of execution, pending the outcome of an appeal filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The traditional ruler was removed in a case brought by Daudu Adeku-Ojiah, Hussain Yusuf, and Abdulrahaam Suberu, who challenged his appointment by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Kogi State Attorney General, Muiz Abdullahi (SAN), alongside the Ohinoyi, sought the stay of execution, arguing that their appeal needed to be determined before any action was taken on the earlier ruling delivered on February 3 in Suit No. HCO/05C/2024.
Responding to the application, Sani Abbas, counsel for the claimants, did not oppose the request.
Granting the stay of execution, Justice Salisu ruled that the status quo must be maintained until the appeal is resolved.
“In view of the circumstances, the application is hereby granted. The order ensures that all matters connected to this case remain unchanged pending the decision of either this court or the Court of Appeal,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has urged the appellate court to overturn the lower court’s decision and dismiss the case against the Ohinoyi’s appointment, arguing that it lacks merit. The government also contended that the previous ruling relied upon by the claimants was merely an interlocutory decision concerning the selection process for district heads.
The appeal will now be determined by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
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