Edo monarch asks Okpebholo to obey supreme court judgment on Ewu throne

Jafaru Isesele I, the Onogie of Ewu in Esan central LGA of Edo, has appealed to Monday Okpebholo, governor of the state, to obey the supreme court judgement on a dispute concerning his throne.

Isesele asked the Okpebholo to prevent the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs from undermining the court judgement.

THE DISPUTE

The dispute over the succession to the throne of Onogie of Ewu started after the death of Isesele Ojeifo II on August 6, 1997.

Two individuals—Jafaru Isesele and Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo—are laying claim to the throne.

Isesele is the eldest surviving son of Ojeifo, while Ogiefo is a grandson.

Isesele argued that succession to the throne of Ewu is by primogeniture–passing from father to the eldest son–in accordance with Esan native law and custom.

In February 2005, the Edo high court ruled that Isesele is the legitimate successor to the throne and should be accorded all privileges and benefits accorded to the throne.

F.S. Erhonsele, the presiding judge, had ordered that Ogiefo, who was already installed, vacate the Ewu’s palace.

Displeased with the judgement, Ogiefo approached the appeal court.

In February 2014, the appeal court affirmed the judgement of the Edo high court, while in July 2024, the supreme court upheld the appellate court ruling.

THE LETTER

In a letter dated December 13 and addressed to Okpebholo, Olayiwola Afolabi, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on behalf of Isesele, said after the supreme court judgement, Godwin Obaseki, former governor of Edo, ordered that the financial benefits accorded to the throne should no longer be made to Ogiefo.

Afolabi said the current administration, in a letter dated December 12, issued a directive ordering the restoration of financial benefits to Ogiefo — contrary to the judgement of the supreme court.

“We act for His Royal Highness, Jafaru Isesele 1, the legitimate Onogie of Ewu, (hereinafter referred to as “our client”) and on his instructions, we write you this letter in connection with the above-mentioned matter,” the letter reads.

“On Friday, 19th of July, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria sitting at Abuja delivered its well-considered judgment in the above appeal dismissing the appeal of the appellant, Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo against the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/B/19/2006 as devoid of merit.

“The apex court affirmed the concurrent orders of the High Court of Edo State and the Court of Appeal declaring our client as the legitimate successor to the throne of the Onogie of Ewu and directing the Appellant to surrender possession of the palace of the Onogie of Ewu to our client.

“For the avoidance of doubt, certified true copies of the enrolled orders/judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal and High Court of Edo State with respect to the above matter are attached herewith and marked as Annexures A1, A2 and A3 respectively.

“Following the above judgment and in obedience to the rule of law, the Government of Edo State led by your predecessor, Mr Godwin N. Obaseki issued a directive that payment of the financial benefits due the throne of the Onogie of Ewu should no longer be made to Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo who had been declared an impostor by the courts. This has been faithfully implemented since 1st August, 2024.

“It has just been brought to our attention that the Edo State Government, under your leadership, has by a letter dated the 12th of December, 2025, directed the restoration of payment of the financial benefits due the Ewu throne to Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo, who lost out in the three tiers of courts in the country.

“This would be palpably unlawful, illegal and a clear affront on the authority of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”