A High Court in Owerri has reaffirmed Chief Gabriel C. Nwosu’s status as the rightful traditional ruler of Obiangwu Autonomous Community, Ngor Okpala LGA, following a protracted legal battle. Justice I. M. Njaka dismissed a challenge to his throne by Chief James Diala, Chief Fidelis Okere, and Joseph Ugo.
The ruling, delivered on July 24, 2025, emphasized that Chief Nwosu’s earlier recognition in Suit No. HOW/383/2014 remains valid, stating: “The judgment… remains a valid and subsisting judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction… creates a legal reality that this court cannot ignore.”
Justice Njaka used the doctrine of “constructive res judicata” to uphold the previous verdict, aiming to prevent conflicting judicial decisions over the same traditional stool. As such, the new suit was dismissed in its entirety.
Notably, back in September 2022, another court led by Justice B. C. Iheka nullified Governor Okorocha’s recognition of Samuel Ordu as ruler. That earlier decision paved the way for Chief Nwosu’s acclaimed legitimacy.
Community members and traditional institutions have welcomed the verdict, citing it as vital for preserving continuity and stability in cultural leadership. Traditional rulers play a critical role in arbitration, grassroots governance, and cultural preservation — a clear ruling offers clarity for the entire Obiangwu community.
The court’s decision marks a definitive end to the dispute over Obiangwu’s leadership. It reinforces the importance of judicial consistency in traditional rulership cases and underlines that once a competent court legitimizes a leader, any further attempt to overturn that decision must meet a significantly high legal threshold.
