A new dimension has emerged in the ongoing legal controversy in Abonnema Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, following a motion reportedly filed by the Amayanabo, HRM King (Dr.) Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II, seeking legal clarification on the use of royal prefixes within the kingdom.
The development has shifted attention from the original legal arguments to questions surrounding tradition, hierarchy and institutional protocol.
According to sources familiar with the case, the Amayanabo’s motion requests clarification that only the monarch should be addressed as HRM or HRH, while members of the traditional council should be referred to simply as “Chiefs.”
Although the request may appear procedural, observers say its timing within the context of Appeal No. CCA/PH/37/2025 has raised fresh questions among stakeholders in the kingdom.
A member of the Abonnema Council of Chiefs, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said the issue of titles was not part of the substantive matters before the court and wondered how it relates to the central issues in dispute.
Legal analysts note that the core case before the court revolves around questions of process, legitimacy and historical claims. They caution that introducing issues relating to titles and honorifics could shift focus from the principal matters under judicial consideration.
The motion has also sparked reactions within the traditional council. Prominent figures such as Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs and Chief Tammy Wenike Danagogo—who are often publicly addressed with elevated honorifics—were reportedly described in the filing under the broader designation of “Chiefs.”
Within Kalabari cultural circles, titles carry significant historical and symbolic meaning, often reflecting lineage, contributions and standing within the traditional institution.
Sources within the kingdom suggest that the development has generated internal dissatisfaction among some members of the council, with indications that certain documents related to the issue may have been leaked to the public by an anonymous chief.
While the authenticity and implications of such documents remain under scrutiny, their circulation has heightened public interest in the matter and suggests that internal disagreements may be spilling into the open.
The situation has reignited debate within Kalabari society over whether the move represents an attempt to redefine traditional hierarchies or simply a clarification of royal protocol.
Some commentators argue that the strength of the Kalabari traditional system has historically rested on mutual respect between the throne and the council of chiefs, each playing distinct but complementary roles within the kingdom’s governance structure.
Others, however, urge caution against overinterpreting procedural court filings, noting that issues relating to cultural prestige and titles are often better resolved within traditional institutions rather than through litigation.
Meanwhile, a group identified as Kalabari Advocacy for Justice has criticized what it described as the Amayanabo’s alleged petitions against prominent Abonnema and Kalabari sons over what it called “fictitious and unfounded claims,” particularly while the matter remains before the court.
The group warned that such actions could escalate tensions and potentially threaten peace in the kingdom. While emphasizing that it is not aligned with any party in the dispute, the group called on all sides to exercise restraint and allow the court process to run its course.
Observers say the unfolding developments underscore the importance of transparency, due process and unity within the kingdom, especially as discussions begin to shift from legal arguments to issues of recognition and institutional respect.
As the legal proceedings continue, many residents of Kalabari land and other observers are closely monitoring the situation—not only for the court’s eventual decision, but also for indications of how the historic kingdom will manage internal disagreements while preserving its traditions and institutional stability.
By Nzeuzor Jane and Maduadugwo Jane, Port-Harcourt
