By Eric Moore
THE Bukuma community in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has commended the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led government for maintaining law and order in the state, by upholding the constitution of Nigeria in all its dealings.
Paramount ruler of Agum-Bukuma Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Precious Elekima, made the remark in a statement he signed and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The monarch further enjoined the state government to continuously adhere to the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He urged Rivers State government to be weary of antics of desperate people who are trying to circumvent the constitutional provisions of using legal means to appeal the dismissal of the case filed by HRH Stephen Tobins versus Chief Precious Elekima which was dismissed on October 11, 2024.
Elekima said: “The state government is kindly obliged to maintain the rule of law and resist unnecessary persuasion to lure it into going against the nation’s constitution in the discharge of their duties including the Agum-Bukuma kingship.
The traditional ruler explained that the former king having lost and did not file a stay of execution or appeal within the 90 days of right of appeal, has no option than to accept the verdict and give peace a chance.
He continued: “Rather than applying a more civil approach, the side that lost in court seemed to be involving the police in a matter that is purely civil and some desperate handful politicians who believe that they are an Appeal Court.”
The king said that the stool tussle was between HRH Stephen Tobins versus Chief Precious Elekima, as he (Elekima) was then in the court in suit no. DHC/32/RS/2023 before the Justice Okogbule Gbasam and the case dismissed against HRH Stephen Tobins on the October 11, 2024.
He said that it was the judgement delivered by the Justice Gbasam on the October 11, 2024 in his favour (HRM Precious Elekima) that paved way for his installation as the King of Bukuma on October 12, 2024.
He said the case having been dismissed by the court, instead of HRH Tobins appealing the Gbasam judgement, he allegedly tended to take a wrong approach.
Elekima alleged that the police were harassing him, adding that the level of intimidation made him to feel that his life is being threatened.
The monarch disclosed: ‘’We have filed a fundamental human rights process against the Police in suit number PHC/3736/FHR/2024 between HRM Precious Elekima versus Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police Rivers State and others.
‘’It is sad that the Nigeria Police are involved in a pure civil matter that was adjudicated by a competent court of jurisdiction.”
Elekima, however, said that Rivers State government has always been strengthened by the rule of law and could not be seen to either obstruct justice or try to overreach the judiciary, using the executive power.