Defence Delay Halts Pretrial in Emami, Dimeyin Suit

The pretrial session in the suit involving Mr Ayirimi Emami and Chief Akoma Dudu Dimeyin with other parties could not proceed on Monday at Delta State High Court 4, Warri, following the failure of the defence to comply with court timelines.

Presiding judge, Justice Veronica Agboje, sanctioned the 2nd defence counsel with a ₦20,000 fine after it emerged that required court processes were not filed within the time prescribed by law. The lapse forced the court to shift the pretrial conference to March 16, 2026.

The suit, marked W/128/2021 and filed on July 8, 2021, was initiated by  Mr Ayirimi Emami against Chief Akoma Dudu Dimeyin, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe and others. Addressing the court, claimant’s counsel, Chief Emmanuel Uti, said the defence served their processes on the morning scheduled for the pretrial, effectively preventing the exercise from taking place. He also argued that under Itsekiri native law and custom, no ruling house, committee or body of chiefs has the authority to suspend the Ologbotsere.

Counsel for the 7th to 10th defendants, Ame Oriakhi, disagreed, telling the court that subsequent developments had overtaken the issues raised in the suit, noting that Emami had been recalled and offered a different chieftaincy title, which he turned down.

Emami served as Ologbotsere under the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, prior to the appointment of Chief Oma Eyewuoma by the reigning monarch, Olu Atuwatse III.