The High Court of Rivers State, sitting in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, has dismissed an appeal filed by Kate Ngbor against Chief Sam Ngbor, thereby affirming the judgment of the lower court in its entirety.
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 by the court. The court further held that the substantive appeal failed, leading to its dismissal and the affirmation of the earlier decision, effectively bringing the legal dispute to a close at the High Court level.
Counsel to the parties, Femi Bobade, Esq. for the appellant and E. O. Erhirhi, Esq. for the respondent, had adopted their written briefs and made oral submissions before the court reached its final decision.
The judgment followed an earlier ruling delivered on 24th February, 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).