The High Court of Rivers State, sitting in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, has dismissed an appeal filed by Mrs. Kate Ngbor against Chief Sam Ngbor, thereby affirming in full the judgment of the Customary Court.
Delivering judgment on Monday, December 22, 2025, Hon. Justice F. Onyiri ruled that the Notice of Preliminary Objection raised in the matter lacked merit and was accordingly dismissed.
The court further held that the substantive appeal itself was unmeritorious and consequently dismissed it, thereby upholding the earlier decision of the Customary Court in its entirety.
The dismissal effectively brings the legal dispute to a close at the High Court level.
During proceedings, counsel to the parties adopted their written briefs and made oral submissions before the court reached its decision.
Mr. Femi Bobade, Esq., appeared for the appellant, while Mr. E. O. Erhirhi, Esq., represented the respondent.
The judgment follows an earlier ruling delivered on February 24, 2024, in which the High Court affirmed the decision of the Obio Customary Court barring Mrs. Kate Sam Ngbor from further bearing or using the name of Chief Sam Ngbor.
In its final order, the court made no award as to costs. The judgment was issued under the seal of the court in Port Harcourt and duly signed by the Assistant Chief Registrar I (Litigation), Igwe John Promise (ACA).
