Ewu Kingdom erupted in celebration on Saturday as the community welcomed back His Royal Highness, Jafaru Isesele I, following the Supreme Court’s resolution of a protracted kingship dispute that spanned nearly three decades.
The joyous occasion marked the culmination of a series of Supreme Court rulings that confirmed Jafaru Isesele I as the legitimate Onojie of Ewu Kingdom, effectively concluding a 29-year legal struggle.
In its landmark judgment delivered on July 24, 2024, in Suit No. SC/147/2014, the apex court recognized Jafaru Isesele I as the rightful heir to the throne and issued a permanent injunction preventing Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo from claiming the traditional position.
Efforts to revisit the case were thwarted, as the Supreme Court upheld its decision.
Addressing the crowd during the victory celebration, the monarch described the occasion as the dawn of a new era for Ewu Kingdom after decades of uncertainty.
“Today marks the culmination of my nearly 30-year journey to the throne of my forefathers,” he said. “This is not merely a celebration of the Supreme Court judgments but the acceptance of a sacred responsibility to unite our people, preserve our heritage, protect our communities and advance the prosperity of Ewu Kingdom.”
The royal father pledged to govern with justice, integrity, fairness, compassion and accountability while promoting inclusiveness across all communities.
“There shall be no room for division, discrimination or exclusion. Our strength lies in our unity, and together we shall build a brighter future,” he declared.
He unveiled what he described as the “New Ewu Agenda,” which will focus on peace, security, reconciliation, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, diaspora engagement and community development.
In an interview shortly after the ceremony, the monarch said the victory celebration was first and foremost an expression of gratitude to God.
“This battle has been on for 29 years, and we thank God that today we are celebrating victory,” he said.
According to him, the Supreme Court judgments have opened a new chapter in the history of Ewu Kingdom.
“Ewu has been in the dark for almost 29 years. With this judgment, there is a new dawn in Ewu. It is time for reconciliation. I want to bring the whole people together because there is no division. Ewu must unite so there will be peace,” he stated.
He urged all sons and daughters of the kingdom to put the prolonged dispute behind them and work collectively for development.
“It is time for us to move forward. We should fight as one. There should be no division and no exclusion.”
Residents and community leaders who spoke during the event described the Supreme Court victory as a triumph for justice, peace and the preservation of Ewu’s traditional institution.
Pastor Enadame Braimah Godspower from Ukhiodo Community said the celebration marked the end of a legal contest that traversed all levels of the judiciary.
“For the past 29 years, it has been a legal battle from the trial court to the Supreme Court. It is a new dawn for Ewu, a new beginning of progress, unity and peace,” he said.
Similarly, Pastor Braimah Nelson Enakhimion of Ikekogbe Community, Eguare, whose family produced one of the kingmakers involved in the installation of the monarch, described the occasion as historic.
“Justice has finally prevailed,” he said. “This victory is not for His Royal Highness alone but for the entire Ewu people. Without the intervention of the courts, Ewu tradition would have been bastardised. We thank God for preserving the life of the Onojie to witness this day.”
Also speaking, Pastor Matthew Irabor of Uzogholo Community noted that the Supreme Court upheld the long-established customary principle governing succession to the Ewu throne.
He said the apex court relied on the 1979 Bendel State Edict in affirming that succession to the stool of Ewu is by primogeniture rather than selection or election by kingmakers.
Irabor urged all residents to embrace peace and support the monarch in his efforts to move the kingdom forward.
“My advice to Ewu people is to join hands with His Royal Highness Jafaru Isesele I so that development, peace and progress will come to Ewu land,” he said.
The high point of the celebration was special prayers offered by representatives of the seven quarters that make up Ewu Kingdom—Eguare, Ehanlen, Ukhiodo, Idunwele, Eko-Ewu, Uzogholo and Ihenwen—who prayed for lasting peace, unity and prosperity under the reign of the monarch.
The celebration ended with renewed calls for reconciliation, signalling what many residents described as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Ewu Kingdom after nearly three decades of legal contest.
