The Idjerhe Traditional Council has suspended no fewer than 16 chiefs indefinitely in a sweeping disciplinary action aimed at restoring peace, order and respect for constituted traditional authority within the Idjerhe Kingdom of Delta State.
 
Those affected by the decision include Solomon Ojariafe, who has been derobbed as the Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Central Oguedion, alongside Chiefs Michael Enakposegha, Super Abonoko, Wilfred Agidi, Samson Atanaga, Lucky Akpore, Odoji Dimiyo Emakuneyi, Mathieu Abobo, James Otugoma, Henry Otubu, Lucky Emoefe, Omonigho Enakposegha, Edafe Ikewu, Fidelis Sago, Mathew Adegor and Eugene Adegor.
 
The traditional council said the chiefs were suspended for gross misconduct, insubordination, maladministration and alleged financial impropriety, actions it described as inimical to peace and the age-long customs of the kingdom.
 
At the centre of the crisis is Solomon Ojariafe, who, according to the council, failed to account for over N25 million said to have accrued to the Idjerhe Central Oguedion’s account during his tenure.
 
The council further accused him of acts bordering on sacrilege and open defiance of the authority of the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom.
 
Addressing a press briefing in Idjerhe on Saturday, the Crown (Otota) of the kingdom, Uzzi Onosia James Obriki, spoke on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Udurhie I, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Monday Whiskey, and members of the Idjerhe Traditional Council.
 
Obriki alleged that Ojariafe instructed chiefs under the Idjerhe Central Oguedion to boycott the 5th coronation anniversary of the Ovie held between January 15 and 18, 2026, an action he described as a “grave insult to the throne and a serious breach of tradition.”
 
He further disclosed that invitations for the anniversary, dispatched on January 8 to the three Oguedions in the kingdom, Idjerhe Central, Onyobru and Boboroku, were rejected by Chief Ojariafe on what the council termed a flimsy and culturally unfounded excuse over nomenclature.