A Delta State High Court in Asaba has awarded ₦105 million to two Asaba chiefs, Ogbueshi Edwin Monyei and Mr. Ifeanyi Isichei, who were ostracized over a controversy surrounding the selection of the Asagba of Asaba. The court ruled that the decision to ostracize them constituted a serious infringement on their fundamental human right to freedom of association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court awarded N100 million in exemplary damages to the applicants for the flagrant violation of their fundamental human rights. An additional N5 million was awarded as the cost of the action. The respondents, led by Ogbueshi Uche Nwajei and Charles Enemokwu, were ordered to tender a written apology to the applicants for breaching their fundamental human rights. The court granted an injunction restraining the respondents from further interfering with the applicants’ right to freedom of association.
The controversy began when Ogbueshi Olisamedua Uwaechia, the Head/Diokpa of Isieke Village, challenged the selection process of the Asagba of Asaba in court. The respondents, members of the Otu-Ihaza Ahaba age grade society, suspended and ostracized Uwaechia and his supporters, including Monyei and Isichei, alleging they were part of a “splinter group” supporting the suspended Diokpa.
