Aboh Mbaise High Court Orders Ezuruezu, Ezeji Mbaise to Hold Separate Iri-Ji Celebrations Pending Judgment

By Rose Dijiugbor 

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The legal battle over the organisation and custodianship of the revered Mbaise Iri-Ji (New Yam) Festival took another dramatic turn on Wednesday as the Aboh Mbaise High Court directed both Ezuruezu Mbaise and Ezeji Mbaise to conduct their respective 2026 Iri-Ji celebrations independently pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.

The ruling, delivered on July 29, 2026, came after proceedings in which both parties agreed that separate celebrations would be the most practical interim arrangement while the court resolves the dispute.

Counsel to Ezuruezu Mbaise, Senior Advocate Louis Alozie (SAN), disclosed after the sitting that the matter could not proceed substantially because his legal team had filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the court's jurisdiction.

According to Alozie, the objection was deliberately filed shortly before the hearing, making it practically impossible for the court to hear arguments on the jurisdictional issue before the commencement of the judiciary's annual vacation.

 "When the matter came up today, we had filed a notice of preliminary objection. The court was determined to deal with the issue of jurisdiction before proceeding to make any order. We tactically filed it on Saturday," he explained.

He noted that with only one more court sitting before the judges embark on their two-month vacation, the court lacked sufficient time to hear the jurisdictional arguments and the substantive application.

"The judge asked us what should be done in the meantime. I drew the court's attention to the fact that both parties already have separate arrangements. They held their own event, and we have our own programme, which rotates among the three Mbaise local government areas."

Alozie said he argued that the court could not restrain Ezuruezu Mbaise from organising its annual activities while the case remains pending.

 "The only thing the court can do is to allow them to do their own while we do ours. But to say we should be stopped from organising our event, the court cannot do that."

He further revealed that one of the issues raised by the opposing party concerned the use of certain traditional titles and names in Ezuruezu Mbaise's event materials.

According to him, his clients accepted the court's suggestion to remove any references objected to by the opposing side in order to avoid further controversy.

"They complained that we were putting their names on our documents and asked that we remove them. We said, 'No problem.' Let everyone organise their own programme."

The Senior Advocate maintained that Wednesday's proceedings did not amount to a victory for either side but ensured that neither organisation would be prevented from holding its cultural activities pending the court's final decision.

 "We were not stopped. Some people thought they would stop the event, but that was never going to happen."

He also addressed the controversy surrounding the title Ezurezu, insisting that traditional rulers who bear the title remain free to associate with whichever organisation they choose.

"There are traditional rulers who are also Ezuruezu. They have a choice. They will decide where they belong."

Alozie argued that the cultural ceremony at the centre of the dispute predates the current disagreement and should not become a source of division among the Mbaise people.

"This celebration did not start today. It has existed for many years. My father was an Ezuruezu, and he never created confusion. I don't think any Ezuruezu should become an obstacle to peace."

The court's interim order comes against the backdrop of growing tensions over the administration of the Mbaise Iri-Ji Festival, one of the most important cultural events in Imo State. In recent weeks, both Ezuruezu Mbaise and the traditional institution of Ezeji Mbaise have publicly asserted their respective roles in organising the annual festival, raising concerns among stakeholders over the possibility of parallel celebrations.

By directing both parties to celebrate independently until the substantive issues are determined, the court has effectively preserved the status quo while avoiding any interruption to this year's festivities.

The Certified True Copy (CTC) of Wednesday's ruling is expected to provide fuller details of the court's reasoning as the matter awaits further hearing after the court's annual vacation.