Mohammed Shosanya
Edo State Government has waded into the lingering face off between the Oba of Benin, HRM Ewuare 11 and some Enigie, including. HRH Prof. Gregory Idurobo Akenzua, the Enogie of Evbo-Obanosa/Abudu which has led to court action.
The state government,through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Osa Nehikhare, Thursday implored the royal fathers to find a common ground for amicable settlement of the impasse.
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, had been dragged before a Benin City High Court,over the suspension of two Enigie (Dukes),
HRH Prof. Gregory Idurobo Akenzua, the Enogie of Evbo-Obanosa/Abudu and His Royal Highness Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Egbaen-Siluko.
At a press conference in his office, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Osa Nehikhare, said, the
attention of the State Government has been drawn to the groundswell of misinformation regarding the court case.
According to him, “the attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to the groundswell of misinformation regarding a court case involving our revered monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin and some Enigie.
“The state government has no hand in the matter and is also being sued as one of the respondents in the case by the Enigie .
“The case with suit no B/29005/2023 is between His Royal Highness Prof. Gregory Idurobo Akenzua, the Enogie of Evbo-Obanosa/Abudu and His Royal Highness Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Egbaen-Siluko against Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin and the State Government, who are defendants in the suit.
“It is sad and painful that the matter which is essentially among brothers had degenerated to the point of litigation.
“The government hearby appeals to all parties in the matter, being blood relatives, to work together and withdraw the matter from the court and begin a process of dialogue towards the amicable resolution of the issues in the interest of the sanctity of our most respected traditional institution.
“The government is also open to working with all parties for a peaceful resolution of the dispute”, Nehikhare declared.
In the suit number B/290OS/2023 filed by their Counsel, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, before a Benin High Court, presided over by Justice P. A. Akhihiero, over their suspension, the claimants, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, Enogie of Evbo-Obanosa and Egbaen respectively, are challenging the monarch’s authority under the law to suspend them as the Enogie (Duke) of their respective communities.
They contended that their appointment as traditional chiefs was duly recognized by the Edo State Government.
The claimants who attached their registration certificates among the exhibits they relied upon in the suit, argued that they were duly registered under Section 25 (2) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, just like other traditional rulers in the state.
In an affidavit in support of the originating summons he deposed to, Akenzua alleged that the people of the two Dukedoms were hoodwinked to embark on solidarity visits to the Palace of the paramount ruler in Benin during which they were reportedly suspended in their absence.
Relying on section 28 of the state traditional rulers and chiefs law, they argued that only the State Executive Council may sanction them (Enigie), if they were found wanting, adding that anything to the contrary is a usurpation of the powers of the State Executive Council.
They denied any wrongdoing by exercising their right to freedom of speech by writing a letter to the Governor of Edo State along with 94 of their fellow Enigie in 2022, in which they called on the governor to exercise the power conferred on him by law which they believed would lead to more rapid development of rural Edo State, particularly Edo South senatorial district.
According to the originating summons, “The two issues posed for determination by the court by the claimants are: Whether the Omo N’Oba can exercise the power to suspend a registered traditional chief, when the law vests that authority on the State Executive Committee.
“Whether the Oba of Benin has the authority to suspend them in violation of their right to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”