COURT CONFIRMS CHIEF NATHAN EGBA DIENAGHA AS ACTING AMAYANABO OF OkOPOAMA

A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Brass/Nembe has brought legal clarity to the lingering leadership crisis in Okpoama Kingdom, Brass Local Government Area, by affirming Chief Nathan Egba-Dienagha as the lawful Acting Amayanabo of the kingdom.

The ruling, delivered by Justice T. Y. Abasi in suit number BYHC/CV/4/2025, resolved the dispute over who should occupy the interim traditional stool of Okpoama. The court held that Egba-Dienagha was validly elected Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Council of Chiefs and, by extension, the rightful Acting Amayanabo.

In the judgment, the court declared that Chief Paul Briggs-Suobagha’s continued stay in office as Acting Amayanabo was unlawful and ordered him to vacate the position immediately. Justice Abasi also directed that all actions taken under his authority that contradicted the kingdom’s constitution be set aside.

The court further ordered the reinstatement of the Okpoama Kingdom Secretary General, Mr. Abite Edmund, and the President of the Okpoama Kingdom Representative Council (OKRC), Chief Ebimonyo Ikuromo-Ayonimite, describing their removal as unconstitutional. According to the court, the Ibekobiriya meeting of August 3, 2024, which led to their ouster, exceeded the powers granted by the Okpoama Kingdom Constitution and was therefore null and void.

Reacting to the judgment, Egba-Dienagha urged residents of Okpoama to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the ruling marked a turning point for unity and progress in the kingdom. He emphasized that the focus would now shift to development and reconciliation.

“This judgment gives us an opportunity to rebuild trust and move our kingdom forward,” he said, calling on those previously affected by executive orders issued during the dispute to return to their respective offices.

He also appealed to Chief Briggs-Suobagha and Bebara Rhodes Egein to hand over all official properties and documents of the kingdom to the Secretary General, in line with the court’s decision.

Expressing gratitude to God, Egba-Dienagha reaffirmed his commitment to work with the Bayelsa State Government to sustain peace and promote development, describing the ruling as a foundation for stability not only in Okpoama Kingdom but across the state.