The dispute over the stool of the Okumagbe of Wanno Clan in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State has taken a fresh twist, as Chief Benjamin Aliu has appealed the judgment of the Edo State High Court sitting in Agenebode.
Chief Aliu, suing for himself and on behalf of the Edegbe Community of the Agiode Ruling House, filed a notice of appeal against the July 1, 2026 judgment, challenging the decision before the Court of Appeal, Benin Division.
The appeal, marked Suit No. HAG/05/2026, lists Senator Francis Alimikhena and nine others, including state officials and the Etsako East Local Government Council, as respondents.
In the notice of appeal, Chief Aliu expressed dissatisfaction with the entire judgment, contending that the trial court erred in law on several grounds, particularly in its treatment of jurisdiction and reliance on certain judicial authorities.
He argued that the court misapplied Section 19(1), (2) and (6) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of Bendel State (1979), as applicable to Edo State.
Chief Aliu maintained that having allegedly found the suit incompetent, the High Court ought not to have proceeded to determine substantive issues, arguing that jurisdiction is fundamental to the authority of any court.
He also faulted the trial court’s reliance on authorities including Aderemi v. Adeyemi and Agbodemi v. Agboola, contending that they were inapplicable to the circumstances of the case.
Chief Aliu also submitted that, the dispute centres on the validity of the process leading to the selection of a traditional ruler, rather than grievances arising after a ruler had been selected.
At the heart of the appeal is the question of whether a valid legal framework exists for the nomination and selection of a clan head for Wanno following the separation of the former Weppa-Wanno Clan into distinct entities.
Chief Aliu contended that the earlier declaration contained in Bendel State Legal Notice No. 4 of 2012 no longer applies to Wanno and that no fresh declaration has been issued by the Edo State Executive Council as required under the applicable law.
He argued that, in the absence of such a declaration, any process of nomination, selection, presentation or installation of a clan head would lack a valid legal foundation.
Meanwhile, the Edegbe Community alleged that despite an earlier suit and a pending motion for interlocutory injunction, steps were taken towards the selection process.
It claimed that while two of the three candidates complied with a directive suspending the exercise, Senator Alimikhena allegedly proceeded with a selection exercise.
The community said the Etsako East Local Government Council subsequently declared the exercise invalid and suspended further action pending the determination of suits before the court.
Chief Aliu is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the High Court judgment and either uphold his claims or, alternatively, order a retrial before another court of coordinate jurisdiction.
The community, led by Chief Aliu and Dr Francis Omoh, urged the Edo State Government, members of Wanno Clan and the general public to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that the courts remain the appropriate avenue for resolving the chieftaincy dispute.