‘Attah Igala never dies’ — monarch’s lawyers demand retraction of obituary

Festus Oguche and D.D. Makolo, lawyers of Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II, late attah Igala, have demanded retraction of the obituary of the monarch.

In a letter, the lawyers said although the incumbent on the throne who is a mortal may be dead, the attah Igala “lives in perpetuity”.

The 27th traditional ruler of Igala land passed away on Thursday during an operation at a hospital in the federal capital territory (FCT).

Sources told TheCable that there is yet to be official communication on Oboni’s death because Yahaya Bello, Kogi governor, wants to respect tradition.

In the letter, the lawyers said reports on the death of the monarch ought not to be in circulation by now.

“Firstly, Attah Igala never dies. He lives in perpetuity,” the lawyers said.

“Secondly, the incumbent on the throne being a mortal person may pass on, but the fact about his demise or death remains in abeyance. If at all it does happen or whenever such happens, it remains in abeyance until it is formally announced from the palace in accordance with the dictates of Igala culture and traditions.

“It does not lie on the media to announce the death of an Attah, without confirmation from the royal stool; Doing that is tantamount to the desecration of the whole essence of Igala culture and tradition.

“Suffice it to mention that Attah Igala stool is a sacred one, imbued, with a high level of traditional paraphernalia and the act of announcing the demise in a speculative manner is a grave desecration of the ancient traditional stool.

“From the foregoing, we humbly seek the immediate withdrawal of such announcements and representations by all media platforms in obeisance to the requirement of traditions and the rights of the good people of Igala kingdom.

“We therefore expect a high level of responsibility from the media as the tradition of the lgala people is a recognisable one and consistent with the practice globally in monarchical systems.”