Five Benin traditional Chiefs in Edo State have been suspended from their roles for allegedly engaging in sacrilegious conduct against Benin Custom.
The suspension was announced in a statement by Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe for the Benin Traditional Council on Saturday.
Igbe the suspended chiefs visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where they were accused of falsely claiming to be emissaries of the Oba of Benin.
It was gathered that the chiefs rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
“In the said clip, the individuals who have been identified as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo were in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, falsely claiming to be emissaries of the Omo N’ObaN’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin,” Igbe said.
“These individuals not only declared themselves subjects of the Ooni but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed accounts of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
“While the BTC does not wish to be drawn to restating the well-known connection between the two thrones of the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife, the general public is urged to disregard the inaccurate accounts rendered by the ill-bred individuals named above.
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“Consequently, on the authority of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin the Prescribed Authority over Benin Custom, the BTC hereby announces the suspension of the individuals mentioned above from their role as Benin traditional functionaries.”
The council advised the general public to refrain from having anything to do with the affected chiefs as traditional functionaries in the kingdom throughout their suspension.
