A Delta State Excessive Courtroom sitting in Asaba has ordered two Asaba chiefs ostracised over the Asagba choice dispute to be paid N105 million in exemplary damages and prices.
Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro delivered the judgment in favour of Ogbueshi Edwin Monyei and Mr Ifeanyi Isichei, who sued for the enforcement of their elementary human rights following their suspension by Ogbueshi Uche Nwajei, Head/Onoi of Otu-Ihaza Ahaba, Asaba, and Charles Enemokwu, Secretary of the group.
The candidates from Isieke Village acknowledged that they have been suspended for collaborating within the choice course of for the Asagba of Asaba, which turned vacant in 2024. They alleged that on April 10, 2025, they have been summoned by the respondents and questioned for attending a gathering known as by Ogbueshi Olisamedua Uwaechia, the Diokpa of Isieke Village, on April 7.
On April 28, 2025, they have been suspended and ostracised from all conventional actions for alleged “gross indiscipline” and membership of a “splinter group” supporting the suspended Diokpa. They claimed they weren’t concerned in any illegal act and that different indigenes have been warned to keep away from them, leading to social isolation and exclusion from cultural occasions.
They argued that the respondents’ actions violated their rights to freedom of meeting and affiliation below Part 40 of the 1999 Structure and Article 11 of the African Constitution on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in addition to their proper to a good listening to below Part 36(1).
The respondents maintained that the suspension was a disciplinary motion for associating with the suspended Diokpa, who was concerned in a authorized dispute over village funds. They acknowledged that the candidates belonged to a “splinter group” that defied native regulation and customized, and have been allowed to be heard earlier than their suspension. They added that the judgment in go well with No. DTHC/ASB/FR/7/2025 regarding Uwaechia had been appealed.
After reviewing the submissions, Justice Marshal-Umukoro dominated in favour of the candidates, declaring the respondents’ actions unlawful. The courtroom ordered them to challenge a written apology, pay N100 million in exemplary damages and N5 million as prices, and chorus from interfering with the candidates’ freedom of affiliation.The courtroom additionally directed that the Asagba of Asaba be told of the judgment.
