The attempt by the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, to split the Jos Joint Traditional Council through the creation of new chiefdoms in Jos North and Riyom Local Governments has been stopped by the state high court.
The court yesterday made the order to restrain the governor following a request for injunction by Berom elders who approached the court in Jos.
The Berom elders informed the court that allowing the governor to split the Jos Joint Traditional Council would reduce the power and status of the Gbong Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba who is the paramount ruler of the joint traditional council.
The Presiding Judge, Justice C L. Dabub who granted the order in a suit No. PLD/3257/2019 filed yesterday by Niri Darong Esq, counsel for the plaintiffs/Applicants, Da Simon Pam Karak and six other Berom Elders also restrained Governor Lalong from suspending or deposing any member of the Jos Joint Traditional Council.
“Upon the consideration of the motion Ex-perte dated 22 May, 2019 and filed on the same day accompanying affidavit of 22 paragraphs with 6 exhibits, there to deposed to by one Da Daniel Choji of Dong, Kabong District, Jos North Local Government Council praying the Court for an order of interim injunction and mandatory injunction.
The Court ordered that “The defendants (The Governor of Plateau State and 4 others) by their agents , representatives or privies are restrained from tempering with the composition of the Jos Joint Traditional Council including suspending or deposing any member of the Jos Joint Traditional Council pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“The defendants are mandated to continue to recognize the Gbong Gwom Jos as the President of the Jos Joint Traditional Council made up of Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi, and Riyom Local Government Areas pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Governor Lalong had issued a circular through the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. Dayyabu Garga, notifying Chairmen of Jos North and Riyom Local Government Areas of the establishment of Jos and Riyom Traditional Councils.
The letter directed all graded Chiefs, District Heads, Village and their staff who are from Jos North and Riyom LGC to henceforth constitute members and staff of the newly created traditional Council.
Its reads: “The Executive Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in compliance with section 9(1) of the 2016 Local Government Laws has approved the establishment of Jos North and Riyom Traditional Councils out of the present Jos Joint Traditional Council.
“The 2016 Local Government Laws also states in section 91(3) that the most senior Traditional ruler in each Local Government shall be the President of the Council, hence the Ujah of Anaguta and Ata’a Aten of Ganawuri shall be the President of Jos North and Riyom Traditional Councils respectively.”
