A High court sitting in Port Harcourt has declared that ascension to the stool of the Dan-Jumbo Chieftaincy House of Bonny Kingdom in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State can only be by hereditary and not by election.

The Court also declared that only paternal biological sons of the founder of the House, the late Chief Jene Dan-Jumbo, can ascend the stool whenever a vacancy occurs.

Delivering her judgment in Suit No.: PHC/2066/2016, which was filed since 2016, the presiding judge, Justice Joy Akpughunum issued an injunction restraining one of the defendants, Benedict Dan-Jumbo from parading himself as chief of the House.

The said Benedict Dan-Jumbo is currently at large on the run from law enforcement agencies after he was jailed for contempt of court.  

Other defendants in the case, Aladiokuma Allison, Edward Banigo, Nimibabofori Jumbo and Obibi Allison, were cautioned by the judge to desist from propagating traditions that are not in line with the culture and traditions of the House or Bonny Kingdom.

Claimants in the suit are, Clinton Dan-Jumbo, Dr. Fubara Dan-Jumbo and Ibifagha Dan-Jumbo, who were representing themselves and the direct paternal descendants of Chief Jene Dan-Jumbo, founder of the community.

In a chat with Kristina Reports shortly after the judgement, counsel to the claimants, Chief Eugene Odey described the judgement as “satisfactory”, adding that the court has finally put paid to a lingering case that has dragged on for 23 years now.

“Actually, what happened today is that the court has finally rested a matter that has been in contention for a very long time.”

He said the same issue was also litigated upon by Justice Webber at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1915, with the apex court declaring in 1915 that the Dan-Jumbo chieftaincy stool is the exclusive preserve of only the direct personal son of the founder.

Odey said the family is satisfied with the judgement adding that justice has been done to the issue.

Also speaking via video call, one of the claimants, Clinton Dan-Jumbo said the family is satisfied with the judgement, describing it as “a victory for the Dan-Jumbo Chieftaincy House of Grand Bonny Kingdom”.

He asserted that the family will embark on reconciliation drive, regretting that the long years of litigation has affected the family’s growth and development, adding that the verdict of the court has also been communicated to the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, hinting that it was elating news to the revered monarch.

On his part, Dr. Fubara Dan-Jumbo thumbed up the judiciary for living up to the expectation of the people, expressing joy that Benedict Dan-Jumbo, who he described as a “pretender, usurper and false claimant to our family stool” has been put in his place.

“We are happy with today’s judgment and we are happy that it has settled the matter once and for all. We wish to also state that anyone who wishes to act contrary to this position of the law will be dealt with appropriately.”

“we expect everyone to come together and we work together to build our family and make it strong and vibrant and united. I am personally excited that Benedict who has gone into hiding since he was jailed has also been put in his place.”

Both men advised the other parties to join in the reconciliation effort.

As the court put a closure to the issue of ascension to the Dan-Jumbo chieftaincy stool, it stepped back from awarding any cost to any of the parties.