• Govt Holds Oba Of Benin In High Esteem — Nehikhare
An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has admitted the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) as a party in a suit by two suspended (Enigie) Dukes in Benin, against the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba Ewuare II.
Proceedings in the court on Sapele Road were, however, marred by protest by over 100 priests, priestesses and palace chiefs, who stormed the premises. They were raining curses against the enemies of Oba Ewuare 11 at the resumed hearing.
Amid the heavy presence of security personnel, the protesters who chanted solidarity songs along the ever busy Sapele Road, disrupted traffic throughout the duration of the sitting.
The two suspended Enigie, Prof. Greg Akenzua of Evbuobanosa and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen of Egbaen Siluko had on behalf of others, sued the revered Benin monarch, challenging their suspension from office.
Also, the duo on behalf of others, had claimed that it is only Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, and not the monarch, who could remove them from their positions.
Ruling on a motion at Thursday’s sitting, Justice Peter Akhihiero granted the first defendant request to include the BTC as the third defendant, in the suit marked, B/250os/2023, while Oba Ewuare II and Edo State Government, are the first and second defendants respectively.
The ruling was in response to an application filed by the 1st Defendant Counsel lead Counsel, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie and his team against the Claimants, Prof. Akenzua, and Chief Ogiegbaen who both took the Oba of Benin to court over their suspension as Dukes of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen Siluko Dukedoms in Edo South Senatorial District by Oba Ewuare II in 2023.
Justice Akhihiero directed parties in the suit, Edo State Government represented by the State Attorney General and State Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen, who were both represented by their counsels led by Dr. Osagie Obayuwana who had objected to the motion through the counsel of Oba Ewuare II, to amend their relevant documents in the case to reflect the decision.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government swiftly disclosed it has no case in court against the revered Royal Father, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin. Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said the rumour making the rounds on social media of an impending court case is the handiwork of enemies of the state and should be disregarded.
