The Onogie of Ewu in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, HRH Jafaru Isesele I, who was reinstated by the Supreme Court, has written to Governor Monday Okpebholo to halt plans to restore the payment of emoluments to the deposed king, Prince Rasak Ogiefo.
In a letter dated December 13, 2025, from the law firm of E. Olayiwola Afolabi SAN, with reference No. EOA/GEN/68/25, Isesele warned that restoring payments to Ogiefo, who lost in three tiers of courts, could constitute contempt of court. The letter was also addressed to the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Pauline Irusota Esq., urging her to withdraw the restoration letter within 48 hours or face reporting to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
Afolabi emphasized that the Supreme Court, in Suit No. 147/2014 delivered on July 19, 2024, affirmed the decisions of the High Court of Edo State and the Court of Appeal, declaring HRH Jafaru Isesele I as the legitimate successor to the Ewu throne and directing Ogiefo to surrender the palace.
“The previous administration stopped the payments because of the judgment, but it has come to our attention that the Edo State Government, under your leadership, directed the restoration of financial benefits due the throne to Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo, who lost in all three courts. This would be palpably unlawful and a clear affront on the authority of the Supreme Court,” the letter stated.
Isesele urged Governor Okpebholo to implement the Supreme Court judgment, warning that failure to do so could scandalize the rule of law in Edo State. The letter was copied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
