The pretrial hearing in the case involving Mr. Ayirimi Emami and Chief Akoma Dudu Dimeyin, alongside other defendants, was unable to go ahead on Monday at Delta State High Court 4 in Warri due to the defence’s failure to meet court-mandated deadlines.
The presiding judge, Justice Veronica Agboje, fined the second defence counsel ₦20,000 after it was discovered that necessary court documents had not been filed within the legally required time. As a result, the court adjourned the pretrial conference to March 16, 2026.
The case, with suit number W/128/2021 and filed on July 8, 2021, was brought by Mr. Emami against Chief Akoma Dudu Dimeyin, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe, and others. Speaking before the court, counsel to the claimant, Chief Emmanuel Uti, stated that the defence only served their documents on the morning scheduled for the pretrial, making it impossible for the session to proceed. He further maintained that under Itsekiri native law and custom, no ruling house, committee, or council of chiefs has the power to suspend the Ologbotsere.
However, counsel for the 7th to 10th defendants, Ame Oriakhi, countered this position, arguing that recent developments had rendered the suit irrelevant. He told the court that Emami had since been recalled and offered an alternative chieftaincy title, which he declined.
Emami previously served as Ologbotsere during the reign of the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, before Chief Oma Eyewuoma was appointed by the current monarch, Olu Atuwatse III.
