Former Attah Igala, Ameh Oboni
By Gabriel Agbonika
An uneasy atmosphere pervades in some parts of Kogi State, especially Lokoja and its adjoining two local government areas, following Tuesday’s Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja declaring the three local government areas as part of Igala entity.
The situation has been made more worrisome within these areas in views of the news of jubilation within Igala land when a “victorious” Attach Igala, His Royal Highness Idakwo Ameh Oboni, returned to his palace in ldah accompanied by a large motorcade and excited Igala endigenes.
The victory celebration in Igala land continued through out till the following morning even when it was clearly understood that the Federal government might appeal against the judgment.
This unusual and celebrated case between Attach Igala against the FGN with Attorney General of the Federation as sole defendant, started in 2017 at the Federal High Court Lokoja. Only documentary evidence was deposed by the Attach himself. According to the record available to Apex News Exclusive, the originating summons requires only evidence and not oral evidence. The documents relied upon were all procured from the National archives in Kaduna after painstaking historical facts were obtained and strong legal advice were provided.
In the main documents of an agreement between Samuel Ajayi Crowther and a former Attah lgala where the Attah gave out his land to Crowther to build a Church in Lokoja. Another is an agreement between the Queen of England and Attah of Igala over Lokoja and Ajaokuta..
The case sought an order of court declaring the area around Niger river up to koton Karfe as a territory under the OVERLORDSHIP of the Attah Igala. Judgment was given in favour of the plaintiff, Attah Igala on June 2nd 2020 by judge. Secondly the defendant was also ordered to pay N10billion to the plaintiff. It is however understood that FGN will appeal against the judgement.
