The High Court in Sapele, Delta State, has delivered judgment in the legal dispute over the ownership and sale of the St. Malachy land, ruling in favour of members of the Ogodo family who challenged the transaction.
The suit was filed by some members of the Ogodo family against the sale of the disputed property to former lawmaker, Hon. Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele, by another faction of the family.
In its judgment delivered on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, the court upheld the plaintiffs’ claims and granted the reliefs sought.
As part of the ruling, the court restrained Hon. Michael Diden from entering or taking possession of the disputed St. Malachy land. The court also awarded costs of ₦1 million in favour of the plaintiffs.
The judgment was initially scheduled to be delivered on August 21, 2026, but was brought forward because the presiding judge is proceeding on judicial vacation.
The ruling marks a significant development in the long-running dispute over the ownership and sale of the St. Malachy land in Sapele.
