Kogi govt issues second query to Ohinoyi to explain use of inappropriate title ‘Atta Ebira’

The 94 year old first class monarch, Dr Ado Ibrahim has been issued a second query to explain within 48 hours why he used the title “Atta Ebira” against “Ohinoyi of Ebiranland’ in his response to the first query.

CAPITAL POST reports that Kogi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs issued a query on the directive of governor Yahaya Bello, asking the monarch to respond within 48 hours why he refused to receive President Muhammadu Buhari who visited Kogi State to commission Bello’s legacy projects which he has since replied.

On Monday 16, Kogi government issued another query demanding explanation of the title ‘Atta Ebira’ instead if ‘Ohinoyi Ebira’, within 48 hours, noting that Attah Ebira title was alien to law, and not recognised by government.

He was asked to re-submit his response to a recent query given to him with the appropriate title of the stool as recognised by the Kogi State Chieftaincy Law 2006 and his letter of appointment.

He had, in his response letter marked: “Ref. No. ETC/CHI/35/VOL.II/33”, dated January 6, 2023, addressed himself as “Atta Ebira” instead of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Ozigi Deedat in the letter addressed to the Ohinoyi on Monday insisted that any correspondence with the Atta title was unacceptable for official purpose.

“Your personal decision to use the title of Atta Ebira and not Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in your official communication is at variance with sections 19a, 27(2b), 33 and schedules II and V of Kogi State Chiefs (Appointment, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and your letter of appointment issued to you with Ref. No. GHLK/KGS/22, dated 2nd June, 1997.

“The title of Atta Ebira is alien to law and not recognized by Government. Therefore any correspondence with that title is unacceptable for official purpose,” the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs stated.

The Commissioner’s letter read in full: “I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. ETC/CHI/35/VOL.II/33, dated 6th January, 2023, in respect of the above subject matter and to inform you that the said letter under reference, which ought to be your response to a letter of query was not conveyed with the appropriate title of your stool as recognized by the Kogi State Chieftaincy law 2006 and your letter of appointment.

“Your personal decision to use the title of Atta Ebira and not Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in your official communication is at variance with sections 19a, 27(2b), 33 and schedules II and V of Kogi State Chiefs (Appointment, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Councils in Kogi State) Law, 2006 and your letter of appointment issued to you with Ref. No. GHLK/KGS/22 dated 2nd June, 1997. The title of Atta Ebira is alien to law and not recognized by Government. Therefore any correspondence with that title is unacceptable for official purpose.

“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to kindly re-submit your reply to the query with the appropriate title within 48hours to enable further necessary action to be taken.

“It is expected that Your Royal Majesty will respond accordingly, please.”