Idjerhe Chiefs Urge Calm, Say King Whiskey’s Removal Case Remains Before Supreme Court

JESSE, Delta State — Chiefs of the Great Idjerhe Kingdom have appealed to residents to remain peaceful and refrain from taking the law into their own hands following reports circulating on social media alleging that King Obukowho Monday Arthur Whiskey, JP, PhD, has been removed as the Ovie of the kingdom. They insisted that the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court.

The appeal was made during a meeting convened by the Otota of Idjerhe Kingdom, Okakuro Onosia James Obiriki, at his residence in Idjerhe Town, Ethiope West Local Government Area. The gathering was attended by chiefs from Idjerhe Central, Boboroku and Onyobru, including Chief Goodluck Samson Okoro, Unugbogodo of Boboroku, Chief Gold Abada, Unugbogodo of Onyobru, as well as representatives of women and youth groups.

Aside from the kingship dispute, the chiefs also deliberated on issues aimed at strengthening peace, unity and development within the kingdom.

Addressing the gathering, Obiriki stated that although the document being circulated originated from the Court of Appeal in Asaba, it was issued by a Deputy Registrar and, according to him, does not represent the actual status of the case. He explained that King Whiskey filed an appeal before the Supreme Court on October 17, 2022, under Suit No. SC/CV/968/2022, and distributed copies of the appeal documents to the chiefs for verification.

He advised anyone with doubts to verify the status of the case directly with the Supreme Court Registry in Abuja, maintaining that the matter remains pending before the apex court.

Speaking separately, several chiefs maintained that reports of the monarch’s removal were false. High Chief Goodluck Okoro, Unugbogodo of Boboroku, described the claim as baseless and warned that continued circulation of the disputed document could amount to contempt of court. He alleged that a man identified as Smart Majemite, also known as Ibori, was responsible for circulating the document, adding that he believed others were behind the action.

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Chief Anigboro Otite, Unueworo of Onyobru Sub-clan, also appealed for calm, describing the issue as a misunderstanding regarding the actual status of the case. He urged residents to allow the judiciary to determine the matter, noting that a previous peace meeting he organized unintentionally contributed to the wider circulation of the disputed document.

Also speaking, Abraham Abido, Chairman of Boboroku Sub-clan, said any valid change in the traditional leadership of the kingdom must be officially communicated through the Delta State Government, noting that King Whiskey received his Staff of Office from the state governor. He reaffirmed that the monarch remains the recognized Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom until any official notice states otherwise.

The chiefs also visited the vandalized site of the proposed Idjerhe Central Health Centre to assess the level of damage. Obiriki disclosed that a suspect arrested by the Idjerhe Vigilante Group in connection with the vandalism had been handed over to officers at the Jesse Divisional Police Headquarters, while investigations continue to identify other suspects.

The Idjerhe kingship dispute dates back to 2021, when rival claimants challenged the throne in court. The king’s supporters maintain that the matter is now before the Supreme Court and have urged residents to remain law-abiding while awaiting the court’s final decision.