U.A. KALGO, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is a chieftaincy dispute in respect of the stool of the Oriye Rindre of Wamba in the Wamba Local Government Area of Nassarawa State. In February 1991, when the action was filed in the Plateau State High Court, Wamba was under Akwanga Local Government Area of Plateau State,
The last incumbent of the traditional office of Oriye Rindre Alhaji Sulaimanu Muhammadu Kore, who has since died, was installed as a 2nd class chief on the 23rd of April, 1983. After his death, the then Plateau State Government promulgated a law titled "The Appointment And Deposition of Chiefs (Appointment of Oriye Rindre) Order 1990" which laid down the procedure to be followed in the selection or election of a new Oriye Rindre in the event of any vacancy. In Pursuance of the said law, an election was conducted on the 12th of February 1991, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Alhaji Sulaimanu Muhammadu Kore. In that election, the only candidates wer…