Top officials of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) are facing possible jail terms following the commencement of contempt proceedings at the Delta State High Court sitting in Bomadi. The proceedings stem from allegations that the officials disobeyed an existing court order relating to the recognition of a clan within the INC structure.
On March 2, 2026, the Bomadi High Court formally instituted contempt proceedings against Dr. Kio Anyanate, Leader of the National Representative Council of the INC, Barrister Boma Tons Fetepigi, National Legal Adviser of the INC, Gabriel Benamiesegha, Clerk of the National Representative Council, and Princess Joyce Adesola Ebiseni, Deputy Clerk of the Council.
The legal action follows a longstanding dispute that began in 2023 when the INC initiated a process to divide the Akugbene Mein Kingdom in Delta State into two clans. The move was opposed by His Royal Majesty, King S. P. Luke, Kalanama VIII, the Pere of Akugbene Mein Kingdom.
In response to the development, the monarch filed Suit No. HCB/3/2023 before the Delta State High Court in the Bomadi Judicial Division. The suit was instituted between His Royal Majesty S. P. Luke, Kalanama VIII, and the Incorporated Trustees of the INC alongside its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba.
The monarch sought to stop what he described as an illegal attempt by the INC leadership to recognize Kerebiri-Mein as a separate clan within the Western Zone of the organization in Delta State. After hearing the matter, the court delivered judgment on March 21, 2024.
The Bomadi High Court ruled in favor of King Luke and issued a perpetual injunction restraining Professor Okaba, the INC, its agents, privies, and servants from taking any steps whatsoever toward recognizing Kerebiri-Mein as a clan in Delta State’s Western Zone.
Following the judgment, the INC and Professor Okaba filed an application for stay of execution. However, on February 5, 2025, the court dismissed the application, thereby affirming that the earlier judgment remained binding and enforceable.
According to court records, the judgment was duly served on the top officials and relevant organs of the INC, including the National Representative Council. The service of the judgment indicated that the officials were formally notified of the court’s decision and the restrictions imposed.
Despite the court’s ruling, the National Representative Council of the INC, under the leadership of Dr. Kio Anyanate, reportedly commenced a constitutional review process. As part of that process, on February 1, 2026, the Council allegedly recommended the recognition of Kerebiri-Mein as one of the clans to be created from the Western Zone.
The recommendation also included provisions for the proposed clan to elect delegates to participate in the forthcoming INC elections. This development triggered fresh legal action from the monarch.
King Luke, through his counsel, Eric Omare, approached the Bomadi High Court to initiate committal proceedings against the officials. The action was taken on the grounds that the officials had allegedly acted in violation of the subsisting judgment of the court.
As part of the legal process, the affected officials were served with Form 48. Form 48 is a statutory notice in contempt proceedings that informs a party of the consequences of disobeying a court order.
Committal proceedings are legal mechanisms designed to enforce compliance with court orders. Where a party is found to have willfully disobeyed an order of the court, the court may impose sanctions, including imprisonment.
Legal observers note that if the court finds sufficient evidence that the officials acted contrary to the judgment delivered in March 2024, they could face prison terms. The outcome of the proceedings will depend on whether the court is satisfied that there was deliberate and knowing disobedience of its order.
The case has drawn attention within the Ijaw community and beyond, particularly as it comes ahead of the INC’s forthcoming elections. The court is expected to determine whether the actions of the National Representative Council constitute contempt and whether sanctions should be imposed.
The matter remains pending before the Bomadi High Court.
