Ondo High Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Recognition of HRM Pere (King) Judge Jemine as Amananawei of Bolowou Community
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
The Ondo State High Court sitting in Okitipupa has dismissed a suit seeking to invalidate the appointment and recognition of His Royal Majesty, Pere (King) Judge Jemine as the Amananawei of Bolowou Community, bringing to a close a protracted legal dispute over the traditional leadership of the riverine community.
In a landmark judgment delivered on June 29, 2026, the court dismissed Suit No. HOK/55/2022, which was instituted by Rev. (Dr.) Jemine Epistle Princewill, alongside Senior Boarnerge (Hon.) B.O. Ominidougha and four others.
The claimants had approached the court seeking, among other reliefs, an order setting aside the recommendation recognizing and creating the Amananawei of Bolowou Chieftaincy Stool as contained in the Ondo State Government White Paper on the Report of the Hon. Justice C.E.T. Ajama Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters in Ondo State.
Claimants’ Argument
The claimants contended that Bolowou Zion Community is a non-secular community, arguing that the head of the church automatically assumes the position of the administrative head of the community.
They maintained that since the community is founded on religious principles, the leadership of the church and the administrative leadership of the community are inseparable. Consequently, they urged the court to invalidate the government’s recognition of the Amananawei Chieftaincy Stool, contending that the recognition was inconsistent with the historical and religious structure of the community.
Court Rejects the Claims
In a well-considered judgment delivered on 29 June 2026, the trial judge dismissed all the reliefs sought by the claimants, describing the suit as spurious, baseless and lacking in merit.
The court held that the claimants failed to establish the legal and evidential basis for the declarations they sought.
Specifically, the court found that Rev. (Dr.) Jemine Epistle Princewill failed to prove that he is the MIYENKIRIGBOLOWEI II of Bolowou Zion Community, a title he had boldly laid claim to throughout the proceedings.
Court’s Observations
On pages 27 and 28 of the judgment, the court made strong observations regarding the evidence presented before it.
The court held:
“Arising from the foregoing therefore, it is obvious that the case of the Claimants is gasping for oxygen to survive and attempt by the Claimants’ counsel to give it life through his final written address is unhelpful. This is because it is settled law that the address of counsel no matter how brilliant, articulate or elegantly worded cannot take the place of evidence.”
In reaching this conclusion, the court relied on the decision in APC v. Sheriff & Ors. (2023) LPELR-59953, reiterating the settled principle that written addresses cannot substitute for credible evidence.
Failure to Tender the White Paper
The court also identified another major weakness in the claimants’ case.
Although one of the principal reliefs sought was an order setting aside the Ondo State Government White Paper recognizing and creating the Amananawei of Bolowou Chieftaincy Stool, the claimants failed to place the White Paper before the court.
The trial judge held that the court could not embark on a fishing expedition by searching for documents not tendered in evidence.
According to the judgment:
“This court cannot embark on fishing expedition, looking for a document not brought before it.”
The court further held that merely asserting that the White Paper was a public document was insufficient.
The judge stated:
“What was being sought to be cancelled (to use the word of the Claimants) must be brought before court, failure of which is fatal to the grant of the relief sought.”
Burden of Proof Not Discharged
The court emphasized that under Nigerian law, the burden of proof rests on the party making allegations.
The trial judge held:
“Thus, it is my view, which I hold firmly that the Claimants who have the evidential burden to prove their case on balance of probability or on the preponderance of evidence have failed to discharge this burden in this case.”
Having found that the claimants failed to establish their case, the court concluded:
“In conclusion and having held that the burden of proof placed on the shoulder of the Claimants by law, is glaring undischarged, the corollary is that they are not entitled to the reliefs sought by them. Consequently, this suit is lacking in merit and is accordingly dismissed.”
Recognition of HRM Pere (King) Judge Jemine Reaffirmed
Beyond dismissing the suit, the court reaffirmed the legal status of HRM Pere (King) Judge Jemine as the duly recognized Amananawei and administrative head of Bolowou Community.
The judgment effectively validates the Ondo State Government’s recognition of the traditional stool and settles the question of who occupies the position of administrative head of the community.
Previous Court Decisions
The latest judgment is not the first unsuccessful legal action involving Rev. (Dr.) Jemine Epistle Princewill.
On 16 December 2025, an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure dismissed Suit No. AK/285/2024 between Rev. (Dr.) Jemine Epistle Princewill v. Pere Judge Jemine & Ors.
The suit, which involved allegations of violation of fundamental rights, was dismissed in its entirety.
Earlier still, on 10 February 2020, an Okitipupa High Court presided over by Hon. Justice J.I. Abe struck out Suit No. HOK/33/2018 between Rev. (Dr.) Princewill Jemine & Ors. v. Chief George Jemine & Ors.
That action also arose from disputes relating to the traditional leadership of Bolowou Community.
Significance of the Judgment
The judgment of 29 June 2026 is widely regarded as a significant judicial pronouncement on the leadership of Bolowou Community.
By dismissing the challenge to the Ondo State Government’s White Paper and reaffirming the recognition of HRM Pere (King) Judge Jemine as the Amananawei and administrative head of the community, the court has provided judicial clarity on a dispute that has generated multiple litigations over the years.
Legal observers believe the decision is likely to strengthen stability within the community and reinforce confidence in the government’s recognition process for traditional institutions.
As of the time of filing this report, there is no indication that the claimants have filed an appeal against the judgment.
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