The Okpella Traditional Clan Head Tussle has lingered on for about six years now, and it is true to say that the current government has mustered the will and courage to address the impasse by directing that a transparent process be followed, rooted in the extant laws that govern chieftaincy matters in Edo State. However, to the shock and dismay of every well-meaning sons and daughters of the land, the governor and the entire State are being taken for a ride by a select few. What they hide from His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, is now in the open.

As few individuals in Okpella are about to make the same mistake in their attempts to legitimize the illegitimate and shambolic election that was conducted for only one candidate on the 10th May, 2025.

It is very clear in the eyes of the law, as instructed by our ancestors, the ruling house, whose turn it is to produce a King for Okpella, are the ones to select a candidate, an adult male, and present to the Kingmakers. When Ukhomuyio, whose turn it is to select a king for Okpella, has more than one candidate, the law mandates them to conduct an election so that one person can emerge. It is only the winner, one male individual, that should be presented by Ukhomuyio to the 24 kingmakers for approval as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

The concerned sons and daughters of Okpella stand before you today in unity because they were among the thousands of your supporters who voted for you. They are not in defiance because they are your supporters, but in defense of our tradition, our rights, and the rule of law, which is being trampled upon.

They urgently demand the immediate suspension of the illegal and purported election of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, which took place on the 10th of May 2025. Your Excellency, the concern of Okpella is based not on hearsay, but on the clear provisions of the law. Section 4 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979, provides that:

“When a vacancy occurs, the village head or, in his absence, the senior daudu of the appropriate component branch of the appropriate ruling house shall summon and preside over a meeting of the adult males of the said component branch to nominate a suitable candidate. The candidate selected…is presented to the kingmakers…for formal approval.”

This provision is not a suggestion—it is the law. At this moment, the Ukhomunyio component branch of the ruling house, whose turn it is to produce the next Okuokpellagbe, has not met, nor nominated anyone, and has not decided on any candidate for that position.

It is clear, therefore, that Mike Sado was the only candidate who was in that meeting erroneously referred to as “election” conducted by a few individuals who are not from Ukhomuyio, whose turn it is to produce the Okuokpellagbe. The Ukhomuyio scheduled a meeting on the 11th of May, 2025, where the entire Ukhomunyio kindreds were to discuss the way forward in respect of the process of selecting the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella as spelt out in the extant law.

Therefore, any move by the kingmakers to proceed with an election, selection, or approval process is fundamentally illegal, premature, and void of legitimacy. The election is not known by Ukhomuyio and is not lawful.

Your Excellency, the kingmakers cannot and must not vote when the rightful branch has not yet exercised its lawful and customary duty to choose its nominee. To do so is to trample upon the very process that safeguards fairness and peace in our community. This is not just about tradition. This is about justice, law, and respect for the voice of the people of Ukhomunyio and the entire Okpella Kingdom.

We appeal to your good conscience and your respect for due process to ignore the outcome of that so-called election of 10th May, 2025. We ask you to ensure that:

1. The Ukhomunyio component branch is allowed to meet, discuss, and nominate their candidate in line with the law and send it to the Kingmakers for ceremonial approval as stipulated by the law.

2. No action is taken by the kingmakers until that nomination is lawfully presented to them.

Your Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, this is your moment to uphold justice and protect peace in Okpella. Let your administration be remembered for fairness, for dialogue, not division. We say no to imposition. We want due process, justice, and peace, which are the reflections of your administration.

Thank you, and may Edo State continue to thrive under your leadership.

Mr. Adophus Omokhafe Barry writes from Ukhomuyio, Oteku Sub-Ruling House, Okpella, Edo State.

The Ukhomuyio community of Okpella in Edo State has rejected what it describes as the shambolic process that took place on 10 May, 2025 that saw to the selection of Mike Sado.

This was contained in a Communique jointly signed by the President of the Community, Sam Afemikhe, High Chief Julius Ederefo of the Ukhomunyio Council of Village Heads and Comrade Merrv Omoalu President, Ukhomunyio Youth Association.

It said Mr Sado was the only candidate in that meeting erroneously referred to as “election” conducted by a few individuals who are not from Ukhomuyio, whose turn it is to produce the Okuokpellagbe.

He said regarding the appointment of Okuokpellagbe, Ukhomunyio feels disenfranchised because Government has not given the Ukhomunyio Sub-Ruling Area the opportunity to carry out the process to choose an acceptable Okuokpellagbe in line with the directives of Government and the extant laws for the appointment of Okuokpellagbe.

In a related development, Ukhomuyio has therefore in its originally scheduled meeting decided to set up a new executive group in order to resolve the impasse and engender growth and development in the community.

The sons and daughters of the community who gathered on Sunday at the Afokpella Secondary School for the landmark strategy meeting had their focus on unifying and repositioning the community.

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the community, Dr Samson Omosotomhe, the meeting marked a significant turning point as new executive leadership was established, along with a bold vision for the future.

According to him, with a mission of Rescue and Recovery and a vision to make Ukhomuyio socially and economically developed, the newly elected executive is tasked with steering the community towards unity, justice, and progress.

” The agenda includes: unite the entire Ukhomuyio community to heal the wounds of the past seven years.
“Foster integration between Ukhomuyio and the wider Okpella community.
“Engage with government stakeholders to resolve the Okhuokpellagbe impasse equitably.
“Partner with operating companies to ensure Ukhomuyio benefits from local economic resources.
“Launch aggressive development initiatives to make up for lost time.
“Collaborate with the government to enhance security, enabling safe farming and peaceful living,” he said .

He emphasized that this renewed leadership is a call to all Ukhomuyio sons and daughters to rise in unity, filled with hope and purpose, towards a brighter future.

He listed the executive members to include Samuel Sunday Onoshioagbe Afemikhe as president, Dr. Henry Idogun Vice President, Charles Ikumesomi Chairperson, Roland Ediawe Secretary, Mathew Okun Assistant Secretary, Okhale Labeshi Financial Secretary, Eshio Omokhagbo Assistant Financial Secretary, Mark Adogah Treasurer, Philip Odion Magnus Assistant Treasurer, Dr Samson Omosotomhe Public and Osaru Usman Relations Officers, Bar(s) Philip Thomas Ilukholo, Benjamin Onekpe, and Mutairu Hope Aliu as Legal Advisers, Jonathan Abu, and Lucky Afiabor as Security Officers and Engr. Sunday, Iremia; Dr. William Odiwo; Barr. Nicholas Aliu; Barnabas Eshiobho; Hon. Philip Akemokue; Hon. Ekhis Uduafemeh; Jerome Francisca as Ex Officio Members.

It was also agreed that the Community empowers the President, working with other stakeholders, to create a robust and all-Inclusive team of well-meaning Ukhomunyio sons and daughters that will henceforth pilot the affairs of the community In collaboration with the Village Heads.

….says her organs were intact as contained in autopsy

… Calls for legal actions against Natasha

Ifiok Ephraim Umoren, the elder sister of the late Iniubong Umoren, has publicly debunked recent allegations of organ harvesting leveled by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagham which are linked to her sister’s tragic death, describing them as “false, malicious, and baseless.”

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Ifiok condemned the claims made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi West.

The Senator, in an audio-video interview with U.S.-based activist Dr. Sandra C. Duru, had alleged that the organs of Iniubong were harvested and used to save the life of Senator Godswill Akpabio’s wife, Unoma Ekaette Akpabio.

“My sister’s organs were intact during autopsy,” Ifiok said with a shaky voice, surrounded by the state Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Friday Johnson Itim, and Mr. Samuel Abdullah, lawyer to the convicted murderer, UduakAbasi Frank Akpan.

“How can someone tell me — and indeed the world — that my sister’s organs were harvested? Did the person who made this accusation exhume my sister after burial?” she questioned.

Iniubong Umoren, a 26-year-old Philosophy graduate of the University of Uyo, was gruesomely murdered on April 29, 2021, by UduakAbasi Frank Akpan, who lured her with a fake job interview in Uruan Local Government Area.

He was later convicted of rape and murder by the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Uyo, in charge number HU/87C/2021 and sentenced to death on August 4, 2022.

Recalling the tragic events, Ifiok narrated how Iniubong had informed her before leaving for the interview and had shared the contact details of her prospective employer. When communication ceased, and a friend in Lagos alerted her after hearing screams during a call, Ifiok said she became alarmed.

“I took the phone number, verified the owner, and posted both my sister’s and the suspect’s pictures on Facebook,” she said.

“On May 2, the police took me to the morgue. I identified her body. Before burial, the police conducted an autopsy at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and I witnessed it personally. All her organs were complete”, she added.

Supporting her statement, Mr. Itim reiterated that there was no third party involved in the crime. “UduakAbasi tied her neck, killed Iniubong over her refusal to have unprotected sex, and buried her in a shallow grave,” he stated. At no point during the investigation, arrest, or trial was Senator Akpabio mentioned.”

Mr. Itim called for legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. “It is outrageous for anyone to drag Senator Akpabio into this heinous crime. I call on relevant authorities to prosecute Natasha for spreading falsehood.”

Also speaking, Mr. Samuel Abdullah, who served as defense counsel to UduakAbasi, described the allegation as “a fabrication from the pit of hell.” He affirmed that no such issue of organ harvesting was raised throughout the trial. “The prosecution and defense records are public. We must not fabricate stories to suit our biases,” he stressed.

Backing their statements, the autopsy report presented in court on November 16, 2021, by Dr. Emeka Nwafor, a Senior Consultant Pathologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, confirmed all internal organs were intact. “The internal organs were present but in advanced stages of decomposition,” Dr. Nwafor testified under oath.

He described the body as “a moderately decomposed young African female,” noting swelling and bruises but no signs of organ removal. “There was moderate bleeding beneath the scalp, but no skull fracture. The brain was decomposed, but all organs were in place,” he concluded.

As pressure mounts, Ifiok hinted at possible legal action. “We are considering the option,” she said, maintaining that justice must prevail for her sister, even in death.

Meanwhile, part of Autopsy Report Recall that on November 16, 2021, the court presided by Justice Bassey Nkanang under post mortem heard the evidence adduced by Dr. Emeka Nwafor, Senior Consultant Pathologist in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo on the alleged murder of Miss Umoren.

“My Lord, I performed a post mortem examination on a body identified as Iniubong Umoren and these are my findings: ”The body was a moderate decomposing body of a young female African origin. The body was muzzled and swollen. She wore an earring on the right ear, no earring on the left ear. The two eyes collapsed and bulged out of the surface. The lips were swollen and mouth open,’’ Nwafor admitted.

According to him, ”By openings, all the organs were in abnormal and anatomic positions. There was excessive milk colour fluid on the thoracic cavity. ”All the internal organs were in advantage stage of decomposition. On the brain, there was moderate bleeding beneath the scalp, no skull fracture. The brain was completely decomposed.”