NEWS
Bayelsa Monarch, Moses Theophilus Kenibara VII Reportedly Dies After Liposuction Surgery
The traditional institution in Bayelsa State has been thrown into mourning following reports of the death of His Royal Highness, Moses Theophilus Kenibara VII, the Amadabo of Moko-Ama in Sangana, Akassa Kingdom, Brass Local Government Area, reportedly following complications from a liposuction procedure.
The 64-year-old monarch’s reported death has sparked an outpouring of tributes, with admirers and community members remembering him as a traditional leader committed to peace, unity and development across the Niger Delta.
Tributes circulating on social media around October 8 and 9, 2026, highlighted his contributions to traditional leadership and his efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among communities in the region.
Kenibara VII was a prominent figure in the traditional leadership structure of the Akassa Kingdom. Beyond his position as the Amadabo of Moko-Ama, he served as Chairman of the Akassa Clan Council of Chiefs and Chairman of the Central Zone of the Ijaw National Congress, roles through which he participated in efforts to strengthen unity and advance the interests of his people.
He was crowned Amadabo of Moko-Ama in 2016, a position he regarded as a divine calling. His emergence marked the beginning of his formal leadership of the community, where he was expected to uphold its traditions while working to promote the welfare of residents.
As Chairman of the Akassa Clan Council of Chiefs, he succeeded Chief Newton Igbani-Okuru. During his tenure, he reportedly advocated greater unity among the various royal houses and supported initiatives aimed at developing a written constitution to guide the council’s operations and strengthen its institutional structure.
His leadership was associated with efforts to foster understanding among traditional authorities and promote a collective approach to community development.
News of his reported death has been described as a significant loss to Moko-Ama, the Akassa Kingdom and the wider Ijaw community. Tributes have continued to portray him as a dedicated traditional ruler whose leadership focused on peaceful coexistence, communal harmony and the advancement of his people.
Although reports have linked his death to complications following liposuction surgery, further official details surrounding the circumstances of his death were not provided in the account available.
The reported passing of Kenibara VII marks the loss of a traditional figure whose years in leadership were defined by his involvement in community affairs, his advocacy for unity among royal institutions and his commitment to peace and development in the Niger Delta.