…dismisses motion challenging Effurun Court’s Jurisdiction
The Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun, Uvwie local government area, has awarded a cost of ₦100,000 against the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, for delaying proceedings in a ₦1 billion defamation suit filed against him by Mr. Jeckins Ejiro Wisike.
Presiding over the case, Suit No. EHC/218/2024, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the court reprimanded Egbo for failing to file his defence since October 2024, describing the conduct as a needless delay of judicial process.
In a decisive ruling, the judge also dismissed Egbo’s motion challenging the jurisdiction of the Effurun Judicial Division to hear the matter, affirming that Ughelli and Effurun fall within the same legal jurisdiction.
The court further directed the defence counsel to file the defendant’s statement of defence on or before December 4, 2025.
Reacting to the development, the claimant, Mr. Jeckins Ejiro Wisike, in a Facebook post, hailed the decision as “a victory for justice and a reaffirmation that the courts remain the hope of the common man.”
According to Wisike, “The Delta State High Court, Effurun, today dismissed a motion filed by Olorogun Jaro Egbo’s counsel challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the ₦1 billion defamation suit.
“The court also awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the defendant and ordered the defence to file their response accordingly.”
It will be recalled that Oasis Magazine, in its November 14, 2024 edition, had reported that Wisike instituted a ₦1 billion suit against Egbo over alleged defamation of character.
The publication detailed that Wisike’s suit seeks ₦1,000,000,000 as exemplary and punitive damages for alleged defamatory remarks purportedly made by Egbo, who reportedly referred to the claimant publicly as “a nonentity, drunkard, gambler, and a half-baked law student studying in an unaccredited university.”
The claimant further alleged that these statements damaged his reputation, caused loss of sponsorship for his legal education, affected his political aspirations ahead of the 2027 elections, and led to financial and social setbacks.
Among the reliefs sought are:
A perpetual injunction restraining Egbo from publishing or making further defamatory statements on his Facebook page, Olorogun Jaro Egbo KSC, or any other platform.
A public apology to be published on Egbo’s Facebook page and in at least two national newspapers.
The defendant was initially given eight days after service of summons to enter appearance, failing which the claimant reserved the right to proceed to judgment.
Credit: Rainbow Newspaper except headline
