Supreme Court Reinstates Manomi As Chief

The Supreme Court yesterday restored Architect Hudu Ibrahim
Manomi as the Sum-Pyem-elect of Pyem chiefdom, Gindiri in Mangu
Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A concurrent judgment by a five-member panel of justices upheld
the decision of a Plateau State High Court in Jos which dismissed
the suit challenging Manomi’s election.

Two members of the royal house, Joseph Mato Dakat and J.C.K.
Mallum, who had filed the suit challenging the eligibility of
Manomi and the process of his selection, had appealed the decision
of the High Court at the Court of Appeal in Jos. The appellate
court in 2012 partly ruled in favour of the appellants.

However, Manomi and one of the eight kingmakers who selected
him, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas-Galadima Gindiri, appealed against the
decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

The lead judgment by Justice Mary Odili granted all the prayers
of Manomi, including payment of his outstanding entitlements.

The apex court however said it would not make any order on the
cost of filing the suit and damages against Dakat and Mallum.