The Edo State Government has issued a stern warning against any attempt to forcibly take over the Okpella throne following a recent court judgment that questioned the legitimacy of the current monarch's appointment. Citing credible intelligence, Commissioner for Public Safety and Security Festus Ebea stated that certain individuals, already cautioned, are plotting to disrupt peace in the community. The government emphasized that no party has the right to enforce a court ruling through self-help, particularly while the matter is still on appeal. Security agencies have been placed on red alert, and law enforcement personnel are monitoring the situation closely.
The warning follows a High Court ruling by Justice O. A. Otamere in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, which found that former monarch Lukeman Akemokue was not given a fair hearing before Michael Sado was installed. The judgment has intensified the leadership tussle, but the state government insists the status quo must hold until all legal processes are exhausted. Residents and stakeholders are urged to remain calm and avoid actions that could inflame tensions.
A court has raised questions about how Michael Sado became king, yet the state insists he stays — revealing how judicial rulings often bend to political convenience. When the government selectively enforces court decisions, it doesn't protect peace; it protects power. This isn't about tradition or the rule of law, but about who gets to stay in favour. For Okpella, justice delayed is justice denied — again.
