Newly Appointed Aidonogie of South Ibie, HRH Umoru Inusa Umoru, Refutes Claims by Former Occupant Mr. Kelvin Danesi

In a press release made available to Uptown Press on Monday, His Royal Highness Umoru Inusa Umoru, the newly appointed Aidonogie of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government Area, has addressed allegations made by Mr. Aliyu Kelvin Danesi regarding the chieftaincy stool.

HRH Umoru, whose appointment was endorsed by the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, firmly rejected Mr. Danesi’s claim to the title, describing it as illegitimate and misleading.

The press release comes after Mr. Danesi, in a widely circulated press conference, stated that he remained the Aidonogie of South Ibie, despite being officially removed from the position.

Mr. Danesi claimed that no court had ever ousted him and alleged that the new chieftaincy law of 2006 validated his rule. He further accused the state government of political interference and “executive lawlessness” in his removal.

HRH Umoru countered these claims by stating that Mr. Danesi’s appointment as Aidonogie was nullified by multiple court rulings over the past 25 years, starting with a judgment by Justice Sadoh of the Edo State High Court in 1999.
The court declared Mr. Danesi’s selection invalid, as it did not comply with the traditional laws governing the Aidonogie succession in South Ibie.

This decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2003, and Mr. Danesi’s subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed in 2007.

The newly appointed Aidonogie stressed that the courts have consistently affirmed that Mr. Danesi was never legally the Aidonogie.

“The Courts did not merely remove Mr. Danesi; they nullified his appointment,” HRH Umoru stated.
“This means that, in the eyes of the law, he was never the Aidonogie of South Ibie.”

HRH Umoru also criticised Mr. Danesi’s attempt to invoke the amended chieftaincy law of 2006, stating that the law could not be applied retroactively to justify Mr. Danesi’s claim.
He cited key judgments from multiple courts, including the Edo State High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, all of which upheld that Danesi’s selection violated the traditional succession laws and was therefore illegal.

One such ruling was delivered by Justice Sadoh of the Edo State High Court in 1999, which declared Danesi’s selection and appointment as invalid. This decision was subsequently affirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2003 and the Supreme Court in 2007, which dismissed Danesi’s appeal and imposed costs against him.

“The courts did not merely remove Mr. Danesi; they nullified his appointment,” HRH Umoru said. “In the eyes of the law, he was never the Aidonogie of South Ibie.”

The press release also referenced other court rulings that reprimanded Mr. Danesi for falsely identifying himself as the traditional ruler, describing his continued use of the title as “contemptuous and defiant.”

One such ruling from 2013 by Justice Ikponmwen of the Edo State High Court dismissed a case filed by Danesi, criticizing him for his persistent disregard for court orders.

In response to Danesi’s claim that the amended Chieftaincy Law of 2006 retroactively legitimized his position, HRH Umoru clarified that the courts had already determined that the new law did not apply to Danesi’s prior appointment.

Further condemning Danesi’s actions, HRH Umoru revealed that the ex parte orders Danesi obtained earlier this year had already expired, and he had applied for them to be set aside on grounds of fraud.
He also disclosed a counterclaim seeking to recover all salaries and emoluments Danesi had received during his time as the self-declared Aidonogie.

HRH Umoru urged the public to disregard Danesi’s statements, stressing that his appointment and recognition by the Edo State Government were lawful and aligned with multiple court judgments.

“Mr. Danesi is not, and never was, the Aidonogie of South Ibie,” HRH Umoru affirmed, signaling an end to a long-standing leadership tussle in the community.