By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, has reaffirmed His Royal Highness, King Dr. Appolus Chu, as the rightful Oneh Eh Nchia X of Eleme Kingdom, effectively ending a long-standing royal dispute.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, June 13, 2025, Justice A. M. Talba upheld the earlier judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which had declared King Appolus Chu the legitimate traditional ruler of the Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers State.
The appellate court dismissed all six grounds of appeal filed by Chief Bebe Okpabi under Appeal No. CA/PH/370/2023, ruling that the case lacked merit.
This judgment cements King Chu’s royal authority and puts to rest the legal battle over the Oneh Eh Nchia stool, bringing clarity and closure to the succession controversy within the Eleme Kingdom.