Ohanaeze: Court Adjourns Matter Till 19th June 2026, Urges Parties To Explore Peace

CHUKA UBAH 

The protracted leadership tussle rocking two factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State continued at the High Court of Lagos State, Yaba Judicial Division, where the presiding judge adjourned further proceedings till 19th June, 2026.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the adjournment was to allow both parties time to explore an amicable settlement of the dispute.

The matter came up before Justice Balogun, who listened to submissions from counsel representing the parties. The litigation stems from deep divisions within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos over claims of parallel leadership.

During the sitting, Barr. Chuks Nnalugha, counsel to one of the factions, filed a Motion on Notice dated 20th April, 2026, supported by an affidavit. In it, he strongly denied that any election was conducted on 6th April 2026, contrary to reports circulating among members. He maintained that his clients had not carried out any actions in violation of the court’s earlier directive.

That earlier directive, issued before 31st March, 2026, was an order to maintain status quo ante bellum. The order was intended to freeze all leadership actions and appointments by either factions pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Barr. Nnalugha told the court that his clients had fully complied with the directive.

In a significant shift, the counsel urged the court to allow both factions to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, as a means of resolving the crisis internally. He argued that the matter was one best settled through dialogue among elders and stakeholders of Ndigbo in Lagos, rather than prolonged litigation that could further polarize the community.

Justice Balogun graciously granted the prayer for ADR. The court noted that judicial intervention should be the last resort in communal and cultural leadership disputes, especially when parties demonstrate willingness to reconcile.

The judge therefore, adjourned the matter to 19th June 2026 for a report of settlement or, failing that, continuation of hearing.

Importantly, the court reaffirmed that the existing order maintaining status quo remains binding on all parties as it stood on 31st March 2026.

Legal observers say the adjournment provides a crucial window for peace.

Community elders have welcomed the court’s push for ADR. Several stakeholders had told P.M.EXPRESS that litigations had drained resources and distracted them from key issues facing Ndigbo in Lagos, They expressed hope that the 19th June date would mark a turning point toward unity.

As it stands, both factions are expected to return to the negotiation table under the ADR framework. If they reach a settlement, it will be presented to the court on 19th June, 2026, for adoption as a consent judgment. If the talks fail, the High Court will resume full hearing on the substantive issues, including the legitimacy of the disputed 6th April, 2026 election.

For now, the message from Justice Balogun is clear: the interest of Ndigbo in Lagos State is best served by peace, not parallel structures.