Yahaya Bawa
The Supreme Court has brought final closure to a 21-year-long dispute over the traditional stool of Jega in Kebbi State, affirming Alhaji Arzika Bawa Karaye as the rightful Sarkin Kabin Jega.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Appeal No. SC/CV/413/2010, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Haruna Haruna III, Haliru Haruna III, and Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bunu against the Jega Royal Family led by Arzika Bawa Karaye.
The court upheld the earlier decisions of the Kebbi State High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had all recognised Karaye as the legitimate occupant of the throne.
With the ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed that the sitting District Head of Jega, Alhaji Arzika Bawa Karaye, is the rightful Sarkin Kabin Jega, and that his ruling house remains entitled to the stool.
“Today, the Supreme Court further dismissed their appeal and declared the sitting Sarkin Kabi Jega as a rightful heir and holder of the throne and that his family is entitled to the throne against the contention of the appellants,” court records stated.
The long-running dispute began in 2005 when the appellants filed Suit No. KB/HC/18/2005 at the Kebbi State High Court, challenging Karaye’s eligibility to ascend the throne. After losing at both the High Court and Court of Appeal, they escalated the matter to the Supreme Court—where their final appeal was also dismissed.
The apex court noted that the 21-year litigation over the Jega traditional stool has now been conclusively resolved.
“This brought to an end the twenty-one (21) year old legal battle for the stool of Sarkin Kabin Jega in Kebbi State,” the judgment stated.
The appellants had argued that they were the rightful heirs from recognised ruling houses descending from Sheikh Mallam Buhari, the founder of Jega District in 1818.
They also contested the eligibility of Karaye’s lineage and sought to nullify his appointment.
They further claimed that earlier selection processes conducted under the Gwandu Emirate Council were flawed, alleging irregularities in the nomination and approval of candidates for the throne.
However, the Supreme Court found no merit in their arguments and upheld the validity of Karaye’s appointment and lineage claims.
At the hearing, the appellants were represented by Popoola, SAN, while Hussaini Zakariya, SAN, appeared for the Sarkin Kabin Jega and other respondents.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, the decades-long succession crisis over the Jega traditional institution has now been conclusively settled.
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