Query: Kogi Govt Rejects Ohinoyi’s Response, Says Monarch Used Improper Title

By Ayodele Oni

The Kogi State Government has rejected the response by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, to the query issued to him for his refusal to attend the reception of President Mohammadu Buhari during his visit to the State on December 29, 2022.

The State Government said the reply did not carry the constitutionally recognized title of Okenne monarch.

In the reply, the Ohinoyi had claimed he is the  Attah of Ibirraland, a title the  Government described as alien  to the law of the State.

The Monarch has now been given 48 hours from Monday to re-submit his response with the appropriate title of the stool as recognized by the Kogi State Chieftaincy Law 2006 and his letter of appointment.

He had, in his response letter marked: “Ref. No. ETC/CHI/35/VOL.II/33”, dated January 6, 2023, addressed himself as “Atta Ebira” instead of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

Declaring that the Atta Ebira title is unknown to the law of the state, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Ozigi Deedat, noted that any correspondence with the Atta title was unacceptable for official purpose.

Government’s response on Monday states that “Your personal decision to use the title of Atta Ebira and not Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in your official communication is at variance with sections 19a, 27(2b), 33 and schedules II and V of Kogi State Chiefs (Appointment, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and your letter of appointment issued to you with Ref. No. GHLK/KGS/22, dated 2nd June, 1997.

“The title of Atta Ebira is alien to law and not recognized by Government. Therefore, any correspondence with that title is unacceptable for official purpose.

“I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. ETC/CHI/35/VOL.II/33,  dated 6th January, 2023, in respect of the above subject matter and to inform you that the said letter under reference, which ought to be your response to a letter of query was not conveyed with the appropriate title of your stool as recognized by the Kogi State Chieftaincy law 2006 and your letter of appointment.

“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to kindly re-submit your reply to the query with the appropriate title within 48hours to enable further necessary action to be taken.

“It is expected that Your Royal Majesty will respond accordingly, please.”