From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Supreme Court of Nigeria which is the court of final arbitration in the country, has re-affirmed Chief Charles Emezi as the rightful traditional ruler of Awaka ancient Kingdom in Owerri North local government area of Imo State of the 16 year disputed ancestral ezeship stool.
The apex court holden recently in Abuja gave the landmark judgement on the suit, SC/325/2013 which is between Chief Akujobi David Osuagwu and Chief Charles Emezi and 3 others on Tuesday 27th of January,2026.
The judgement as contained in the Certified True Copy (CTO) and endorsed by Anita Ushelle Cladokun Esq, the Supreme Court Registrar as made available to news men in Owerri, Imo State capital on Friday stated that the historic ruling was presided over and delivered by JSC Mohammed Lawal Bello.
with Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa, Haruna Simon Tsammani, Stephen Jonah Adah, and Mohammed Baba Idris as the other Justices of the Supreme Court that were also present.
The report equally stated that A. G. Ajeka, Esq., with C. J. Uko Nnoram, Esq. and F. I. Evans, Esq represented the appellant, while Eze Duru-Iheoma, SAN and Grace Iwu, Esq were for the 1st respondent.
However, Paul Obinatu, Esq., Hon. Attorney General, Imo State, A. U. O. Owuego, Chief State Counsel and A. B. U. Chukwe, Principal State counsel represented the 2nd and 4th Respondents.
It further noted that before the delivery of the judgement, Ajeka said he has an application dated 21st January, 2026 for substitution of the appellant who is deceased. “However, I apply to withdraw the appeal” he said.
Subsequently, Duru-Iheoma, SAN and Obinatu said they have,”no objection to the withdrawal of the appeal”.
Thus, the Supreme Court in it’s wisdom and point of law said, “for being withdrawn without objection from the respondents, the appeal stands and is hereby dismissed” the case then closed as another victory for Chief Charles Emezi.
The judgement implication is that the Apex Court in its ruling dismissed the appeal of Late Chief Akujobi David Osuagwu and upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division and the High Court of Imo State which had earlier pronounced Emezi as the authentic traditional ruler of the embattled Awaka ancient autonomous community.
Emezi who described the Supreme Court judgement as a vindication of his firm believe in rule of law and the judiciary stated this at the Court premises while addressing Journalists shortly after the apex court pronounced the sound ruling/ judgement, that erupted the court into songs of praises by the multitude of personalities that attended the Court session.
According to him ” God ! I have been vindicated by my 16 years of having unshakeable faith with you, rule of law and the judiciary. This is the dawn of a positive era for my people, Imo State and Nigerians at large.
” Honestly, I dedicate this final victory to God Almighty, my good people of Awaka ancient clan for their perseverance, steadfastness and love for equity and justice. The victory is for all and sundry. I urge all to close ranks in the overall interest of our beloved autonomous community.
” Certainly, the battles are over, the rifts are equally over. We must move forward, with brotherly love and unity of purpose. The winning is for the community.
“The interest of the community supercedes every other interest. We’re one another’s brothers and sisters. Our good traditional and cultural heritages must be respected, improved, promoted and sustained. I stand for peace, equity and justice and above all, new Awaka autonomous community is possible”.
It’s pertinent to recall that as a matter of fact, the legal battle for the now resolved authentic claimant of Ezeship stool of Awaka ancient Kingdom started in 1999 with Chief Herbert Emezi, who as an uncle to Chief Charles Emezi was representing Ndegbelu village in accordance with the constitution of the autonomous community.
Thus, the death of Herbert Emezi prompted the court in 2010 to include Chief Charles Emezi as equally an interested party, substantively substituted as Chief Akujobi David Osuagwu, v. Chief Charles Emezi and 3 others.
Interestingly and as justice demands, the claimant, Chief Charles Emezi has won the cases starting from High Court, Owerri to Appeal Court, Owerri and finally cemented by the Tuesday Supreme Court judgment delivered in Abuja as contained in the SUIT NO: SC/325/2013, CHIEF AKUJOBI DAVID OSUAGWU v. CHIEF CHARLES EMEZI & 3 ORS.
