His Royal Highness, King Godwin Maduabuchi Bebe-Okpabi, says he has appealed the judgment of a Rivers State High Court affirming His Royal Highness, King Appolos Chu as the Oneh-Eh Nchia, thus he remains the legitimate occupant of the Oneh-Eh Nchia X and Paramount Ruler of Ogale in Nchia District of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

King Bebe-Okpabi said this in reaction to an online publication showing the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, meeting with King Appollos Chu, asserting that the latter was falsely claiming the title.

This assertion was made on Monday, February 24, 2025 via a letter by the Nchia Council of Chiefs and Elders signed by its Secretary and Legal Adviser, Chief George Osaro, and Chief Johnson Ngochindo, respectively.

Clarifying that King Bebe-Okpabi remains the duly installed and government-recognized Paramount Ruler of Ogale and Nchia District, the statement said King Chu’s claim, based on a High Court judgment, is under appeal, with a pending motion for stay of execution.

The Council emphasized that Mr. Chu’s self-proclamation violates the Rivers State Chieftaincy Law, warning members of the public that engaging with him in an official capacity is unlawful and risks legal consequences.

The statement further urged the public and government officials to respect the rule of law and refrain from recognizing King Appolos Chu until the court’s final decision.

Krsitina Reports reliably learnt that the case continues at the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt.

The letter reads in part:

“The attention of His Royal Highness, King Godwin Bebe Okpabi, Oneh-Eh Nchia X and Paramount Ruler of Ogale, along with the Nchia Council of Chiefs and the law-abiding people of Nchia district in Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, has been drawn to a recent online publication depicting the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, in a meeting with Mr. Appollos Chu, who has since falsely presented himself as the Oneh-Eh Nchia.

By this notice, the Commissioner of Police and the general public are hereby informed that HRH King Godwin Bebe Okpabi remains the duly installed and government-recognized Oneh-Eh Nchia X.

Mr. Appollos Chu’s claim to the title is premised on a High Court judgment that is currently under appeal before the Court of Appeal, with a pending Motion for Stay of Execution.

Furthemore it is pertinent to state that under the Rivers State Chieftaincy Law, Mr. Chus self-proclamation is unlawful.

Acknowledging this, he has instituted legal proceedings against HRH King Godwin Bebe Okpabi and the Government of Rivers State in an attempt to obtain formal recognition.

Until the determination of this suit, HRH King Godwin Bebe Okpabi remains the legitimate and recognized Oneh-Eh Nchia. Any individual or entity engaging with Mr. Appollos Chu in an official capacity does so in contravention of the Chieftaincy Law, with all attendant legal consequences, and at their own risk.