Lawyer Asks Chief Justice To Accelerate Appeal On Ponzhi Tarok Stool

A human rights lawyer and indigene of the Tarok Nation in Plateau State, Barr. Timzing Venyir Ramnap, has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to expedite the hearing of a pending appeal before the Supreme Court over the Ponzhi Tarok stool.

The appeal, with suit number SC/114/2021 – Mr Clement Cirman & 3 Ors vs Executive Governor of Plateau State & 3 Ors — borders on the appointment of a substantive Ponzhi Tarok, the paramount traditional ruler of the Tarok people.

The case, instituted at the Plateau State High Court on 17th December, 2010, has passed through the Court of Appeal and now awaiting final determination at the apex court.

Both parties have filed and exchanged their briefs of argument, but a hearing date has not been set.

Ramnap, in a letter to the CJN, appealed for accelerated hearing of the matter, stressing that its timely resolution is crucial to the leadership structure, unity, and development of the Tarok Nation.

He noted that the prolonged delay in hearing the appeal has left the revered traditional stool vacant, with serious implications for governance and peace in the community.

The lawyer expressed concern about the inordinate time the matter has spent in the judicial system and called for urgent judicial intervention in the interest of justice.

“Justice delayed in a matter affecting traditional leadership and community peace is justice denied,” the letter stated. He expressed confidence in the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of justice.

Barr. Ramnap further urged the Chief Justice to direct the court registry to assign an accelerated hearing date to the case, describing it as one of public importance.

LEADERSHIP reports that copies of the letter were sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Governor of Plateau State, and the Acting President of the Tarok Traditional Council.

He also called on all stakeholders to support a peaceful and lawful resolution of the dispute through the judicial process.

It will be recalled that the last Ponzhi Tarok Gen Domkat Bali retd died on 4 December 2020; since then, the stool has remained vacant.