The Delta State High Court sitting at Otor-Udu has struck out Suit No. OUHC/69/2025: Goddey Sephoro & Ors. v. High Chief Philip Arigbe & Ors., a case involving the succession dispute over the vacant stool of the Ovie of Udu Kingdom.
The suit, filed by the Claimants, sought several declaratory reliefs relating to the selection of candidates for the traditional kingship position. Among the Defendants were Chief Sam Odibo, the Regent of Udu Kingdom; High Chief Vincent Oyibode, Chairman of Udu Local Government; the Deputy Governor of Delta State; and the Attorney General of Delta State.
Olukunle Edun, SAN, appearing for the Defendants, filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the competence of the suit.
Grounds for the objection included the Claimants’ failure to issue and serve a pre-action notice on the Udu Local Government, failure to exhaust internal remedies under the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, failure to join necessary parties, lack of locus standi, and absence of a reasonable cause of action.
At the court’s sitting on Thursday, 22nd May 2025, counsel for the Claimants, Oghenejabor Ikimi, Esq., applied to withdraw the suit. The court consequently struck out the case.