APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL SADO AS OKUOKPELLAGBE OF OKPELLA UNLAWFUL-Charles Adogah

  

 

 The Obodeanokpella of Okpella, Chief Charles Adogah SAN has said that the appointment of Michael Sado as Okuokpellagbe was unlawful as he said it contravenes the laws of the land as it negates the Constitutional requirement as enshrined in the declaration of customary law regulating Succession made under section 8 of the traditional rulers and Chiefs edict of 1979.

He made the observation while addressing journalists at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Edo State Council.

According to him, " We are gathered here today in deep pain and anguish, compelled by the injustice that has been meted out to our people—the peace-loving people of Komunio in Okpella. We have come together in unity to raise our voices because we are witnessing a gross violation of our tradition, our law, and our rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. 

"On the 30th of April, 2025, the people of Okpella rejoiced at the press release from the Edo State Government, which promised that appropriate modalities would be followed in selecting a new Okuokpellagbe. We believed that, at long last, due process would be respected, and that the voice of tradition, law, and the people would prevail. 

"However, to our utter dismay, the very process that was promised in public has now been undermined behind closed doors. We have witnessed what can only be described as a flagrant violation of the Declaration of the Customary Law Regulating Succession to the Traditional Title of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella. 

"Instead of respecting the procedure outlined in the Declaration—which clearly vests the power of nominating the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella on the appropriate component branch of the appropriate ruling house superintendent by the village head, a different script was followed. A script written by a few individuals, acted upon by the state, and sadly endorsed by His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State. 

"This script birthed the illegal appointment of one Michael Sado, who was neither selected by Ukhomunyio village, nor presented to the kingmakers, nor installed according to tradition. He was simply anointed by a group that has no legal recognition in the Declaration. There was no consensus. No valid meeting of adult males of Komunio village. No formal approval by a constitutionally recognized kingmakers. In short, no legitimate process. 

"Even more disturbing is the brutal repression of our people who have dared to speak out. Our brothers, sisters, and elders are being harassed, arrested, and detained at the orders of the state or those acting on its behalf in Okpella. This is wrong and unacceptable. We are law-abiding citizens exercising our fundamental rights under the Nigerian Constitution." 

They therefore appeal to the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to immediately 

 suspend the unlawful coronation of Mr. Michael Sado and that the Komunio village of the Oteku ruling house be allowed, without interference, to carry out its traditional and lawful responsibility of selecting a candidate to the exalted throne of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella while appealing to all Okpella sons and daughters to remain calm, but resolute, peaceful, but firm.