EZE NDIGBO TITLE: 14 Chiefs Sue Fashola
May 19, 2009 14:35 (3 hours ago),

By Akin Kuponiyi
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted leave to fourteen aggrieved Igbo traditional title-holders in Lagos to sue the Babatunde Fashola-led Lagos state government over the ban of their title in the state.

[b]The order of the court was sequel to a suit filed before the court by fourteen traditional title holders of Eze Ndigbo, led by Eze John Nwoche, a lawyer, to challenge the Lagos state government’s directive that they desist from parading themselves as Eze Ndigbo in the state.
Joined as co-respondents in the ensuing legal battle are the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs and Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya.
In an affidavit sworn to by Nwoche, he averred that on 28 April, 2009, the Lagos state government authorised the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs to publish in the media houses in Nigeria that Ilomuanya led a delegation of South East traditional rulers to the palace of the Oba of Lagos requesting for the ban.
Consequently, the Lagos state government banned the title of Eze Ndigbo in Lagos.

Nwoche claimed that the Igbos maintain their traditional title any where they are, according to their customs. He stated that the title of Eze Ndigbo, which means the king of the Igbos, is the highest customary law to honour an Igbo and any community can confer the title on their illustrious sons, who deserve and merit such honour.

Therefore the deponent contended that the ban on the title of Eze Ndigbo in Lagos is discriminating against the Igbos in the state and restraining them from acquiring such title is unconstitutional and discriminatory.”

It was further averred that it is not the duty of the Lagos state government to choose an Igbo king for the Igbo-speaking community in the state. Thus, he urged the court to declare the ban placed on the applicants from practicing, observing and enforcing their native law and custom is unconstitutional under Section 42(1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution. Justice Mohammed Sanni has adjourned further hearing till 1 June.[/b]

http://thepmnews.com/2009/05/19/eze-ndigbo-title-14-chiefs-sue-fashola

Wetin de worry this people sef? Sues Fashola or sues Lagos state government? You can only sue the government suing the governor is not going to get them anywhere. Lagos has an Oba already and like a Yoruba proverb: Oba meji oole gbe laafin. This will destabilize the traditional politics in Lagos state. It's impossible to have this Eze Ndigbo thing in Lagos unless approved by the real king.