Edo: Appeal court halts execution of Okpella Kingship judgment

The Court of Appeal, Benin Division, has granted an interim order staying the execution of the Edo State High Court judgment which nullified the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Engr. Michael Sado, as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella and ordered the reinstatement of Lukeman Akemokue to the throne.

The appellate court, sitting in Benin City, Edo State, granted the interim order following an application by His Royal Majesty, Engr. Michael Sado, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, challenging the judgment of the lower court on grounds bordering on miscarriage of justice.

The dispute followed a March 2026 judgment delivered by Justice O.A. Otamere of the Edo State High Court in Suit No. HAG/12/2025, in which the court nullified Sado’s appointment as Okuokpellagbe.

The trial court had ruled that the process through which Akemokue was removed from the throne and Sado subsequently emerged as paramount ruler did not comply with the principle of fair hearing.

At the resumed hearing, the Attorney-General, Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, informed the appellate court of an application which according to him, was principally seeking an order to suspend the execution of the trial court’s judgment pending determination of the appeal.

Otaru further told the court that the first respondent had not filed a counter-affidavit in opposition to the application.

Counsel to the first respondent, D.A. Alegbe, Esq., subsequently gave an undertaking to the court, following which the appellate court made the interim order staying execution of the lower court’s judgment.

The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to a date to be communicated to the parties.