A High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt judicial division has granted the family of Chukwumati of Rumuomara kindred, the right to the headship and paramount rulership of Rumunduru community, Oroigwe clan in Obio- Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state.
This followed a chieftaincy tussle in Rumunduru where their families were contesting the right to the headship and paramount rulership.
The chieftaincy tussle could not be resolved hence the Chukwumati family led by Elder Paul Chukwumati, Elder Peter Chukwumati, Chief Godfrey. N. Chukwumati and Chief Endwell .I. Chukwumati, for themselves and as representing the members of the family, went to court.
In his judgement delivered on 27th of March, 2023, Hon. Justice A. Enebeli, sitting at High Court No 8, PortHarcourt, granted the claims of the Chukwumati family that the family was the first son and head of Rumuomara larger family, Rumunduru community, Oroigwe clan and that the family being the first son and head of Rumuomara larger family should have the right of headship and paramount rulership.
He further declared that the Chukwumati family was entitled to take the first share whenever any property, item or position was to be shared in the Rumuomara larger family.
He also declared that in any sitting arrangement in any traditional gathering or meeting within the Rumuomara larger family in Rumunduru that the Chukwumati family will take the first seat.
He therefore, concluded that under the Ikwerre native laws and customs applicable in Rumunduru community, Oroigwe clan that the Eze chieftaincy stool was domiciled in the claimant’s Chukwumati family.
Furthermore, Justice Enebeli declared that at the end of the reign of the 4th defendant(Chief Princewill A. Okene) as paramount chief of Rumunduru community, the stool reverts to the Chukwumati family.
He therefore, compelled and ordered the defendants to accord Chukwumati family in Rumunduru community, all rights, benefits and entitlements accruing to them as the first son of Rumunduru community.
He dismissed the counter claims of the defendants as lacking in merit.
The defendants to the suit number PHC/71/2018, which was instituted on the 16th of January 2018 are; Elder Alexander Chinwo, for himself and on behalf of the members of the Chinwo family, Rumuomara kindred, Rumunduru community, Oroigwe clan in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State and Elder Melford Amadi, for himself and on behalf of the members of the Amadi Woga family of Rumuomara kindred, Rumunduru community, Oroigwe clan in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State,
Others are, Elder Christopher. N.Okene and Chief Princewill .A.Okene, for themselves and on behalf of the members of the Okene family of Rumuomara kindred, Rumunduru community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State and Elder Joseph Nyeche for himself and on behalf of Nyeche family in Rumuomara Kindred, Rumunduru community, Obio-Akpor LGA.
