The past few months have been of mixed actions and feelings within the traditional institutions across the country, especially with the demise of Ooni of Ife and shortly after that, the Olu of Warri, Ogiamen Atuwatse II passed on.

In Benin Kingdom, one of the few kingdoms in Africa that still holds tenaciously to its rich customs and traditions where the Oba is revered like a god, there have been issues relating to the health conditions of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo UKu Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, as he suddenly stopped attending public functions. There were reports of ill health and then death but the palace quickly denied all of them.

After much confusion and controversy as to the true state of the monarch’s health, the Benin Tradition Council (BTC) explained the rationale behind the monarch’s inability to officially attend to his guests, including public engagements in recent times, saying he was indisposed .

A statement by the Secretary to Benin Tradition Council (BTC), Frank Irabor said the monarch’s absence from public engagements, including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, were consequently suspended until further notice.

It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Palace parlance, Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb Ato has come into effect. The explanation is that Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, UKu Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa is indisposed.
“Public engagements including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, are therefore suspended until further notice. All palace chiefs and functionaries are to note that their routine traditional duties continue as usual”, he stated.

However, while the public was still battling to digest these developments and their implications for Bini society, further developments from the palace were unfolding. This was compounded by the seeming silence from the palace over the import of the latest development. A fortnight ago, in keeping with the tradition and custom of the Bini, the palace formally initiated Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa into the Royal Palace Chamber of Iwebo.

The colourful event, which lasted seven days, took place in the Royal Chambers of Iwebo group. The event was presided over by Iwebo chiefs with Chief Oviasogie Eribo who represented the head of the society, chief Uwangue, presiding. It brought to the fore boundless dynamism rooted in the globally acclaimed rich heritage of Benin Kingdom.

A statement issued by Donald Odemwingie from the palace said, “Having successfully undergone the seven days intensive events, with its attendant elaborate rites, thousands of enthusiastic Edo and non-Edo people joined the retinue of palace chiefs and functionaries to accompany the celebrant, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa from Benin Royal Palace Courtyard of Edaiken in the cynosure of all eyes”.

Aside members of Benin Royal family, there were some notable personalities in the procession with Edaiken, including the state’s Commissioner for Works Mr. Osarodion Ogie, among others.

There is no official explanation as to the implication of the initiation rites, but sources close to the palace explained that it was a step towards the ascension of Eheneden to the traditional throne of his forefathers. The question, therefore, is why the initiation rites if the current monarch occupying the throne is still alive?

There are three main societies in the oba’s palace, namely Iwebo, Iweguae and Ibiwe. Each society occupies its own section of the palace and entry into it is by special initiation, usually lasting seven days.   The Guardian gathered that the three societies were established during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great in the 15th Century.

In the 16th Century, two Obas, namely Esigie (1504 A.D.) and Ehengbuda (1550 A.D.) carried out reforms in Iwebo and Iweguae societies respectively. Iwebo, the most senior society, takes charge of the royal wardrobe and regalia, the making and repair of the coral bead garments and ornaments the Oba wears on ceremonial occasions. In the past, this society used to oversee financial matters, trade and commerce.

With the exception of Oloton, all the other six members of Uzama have to be initiated into lwebo society as nominal members before they can assume their titles. The Oba’s eldest son, on being initiated into it, has to attain the rank of Uko N’Iwebo (like every other member aspiring to a chieftaincy title) before he is formally conferred with the title of Edaiken of Uselu.

Iweguae is the centre of all palace activities and is next to Iwebo in seniority. Occupying the central position in this section of the palace is the residence of the Oba and, therefore, its members provide him with his personal and domestic services. It is only after his coronation that the Oba can enter into lweguae and stay. Chief Oloton is the only other Uzama who is a nominal member of this society.

Ibiwe is the third society in the palace and its duty is to look after the Oba’s harem, the welfare of his wives and children. As in the case of Iweguae, the Oba can only enter this section after his coronation when he has to inherit all the assets and liabilities in the palace.

THE disquiet over the fate of the throne was further heightened recently when a certain Arisco Osemwengie, in connivance with some persons declared, himself Ogiamien of Utantan Benin Nation, an action being described as ‘traditional treasonable felony.’ The said Osemwengie, in collaboration with others, got himself installed as Ogiamien in spite of the belief that the reigning Ogiamien, Osarobo Okunghae is alive.

It was learnt that Ogiamien Okunghae was last seen in public about 17 years ago, sometime in 1998. His prolonged absence prompted Arisco and others to declare him missing and subsequently proceeded to formally replace him. This was, however, seen as a rebellion in the kingdom. A few days after, Edo State Government and a palace chief, Osamede Adun cautioned Osemwengie family against bringing the name of the Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa into disrepute by claiming to be a traditional ruler through imposition.

A statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Julius Ihonvbere, threatened legal action in line with the “Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law, 1979 which prohibit any person or group to proclaim self as a Chief or Traditional Ruler, a breach of which is a criminal offence.”

The Osemwengie family had in recent publications in local newspapers, the recent being Ogiamen Trumpet lay claim to the traditional stool of the revered Benin monarch claiming they were the original traditional ruler of the kingdom and that they and their families cannot pay obeisance or kneel before the Benin monarch.

Adun, who is Aiyobahan of Benin Kingdom in a press conference, condemned the action and activities of Osemwengie family which he described, as ridicule and desecration of the sanctity as well as reverence of the throne of Oba of Benin. He said the action of Osemwengie was a taboo and an abomination, as nobody has the right and powers to challenge the authority of the Oba of the kingdom.

The development infuriated the palace which summoned a meeting of all the Enigie (dukes), chief priests of various shrines and various groups. The meeting deliberated the action of Ogiamien family and seriously condemned it. The BTC condemned in strong terms the unlawful coronation of Arisco Osemwegie with the said title, describing it as an insult to the Benin monarchy.

According to a statement signed by its members, including Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe and Esogban of Benin, ‎Chief David Edebiri, the council said the action was not only disrespect shown by a “small click of rebels within Osemwengie family” but also “totally unacceptable to the Benin.”

The council said: “Of most recent was the brazen violation of certain sections of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, wherein the self-styled Richie Arisco Osemwegie proclaimed himself as ‘His Imperial Majesty, Ogiamien of Utantan Benin Nation,’ and purporting to appoint an Enogie (duke) in a suburb of Benin City, as well as conferring other chieftaincy titles on some of his cohorts.
“We like to make it categorically clear to the general public that the said Richie Arisco Osemwegie, publisher of Ogiamien Trumpet, the Osemwengie family and their cohorts are investing in and supporting a course that can lead to self-destruction.”

As if in tandem with the palace, an Oredo magistrate court remanded Osemwegie and his brother, Patrick Osabuohien in prison custody for unlawful coronation of Osemwegie as “Ogiamen of Utuantan Benin Nation” and referred to him as His Royal Majesty (HRM) without the approval of the Executive Council of Edo State. HRM is a title reserved only for the Oba of Benin. They were later arraigned in a six-count charge of felony and misdemeanor before Chief Magistrate M.C. Ojobo (Mrs.).

Although they were granted bail they have not been able to gain freedom because of the inability to perfect the bail conditions of N100,000 and two sureties, with one being a Permanent Secretary in the state public service and the other a traditional ruler also from the kingdom. No permanent secretary and or traditional ruler in the state have agreed to sign the bail bond, as that would pitch them against the government and the Benin palace.

Another twist to the whole saga was the recent death of one Pa Micheal Egbobawaye who was one of the participants at the coronation of Ogiamien. He was killed in an accident while sitting in front of his house at Nekpennekpen Street in Oredo Local Government. A bus was said to have rammed into him and he died instantly.

A family member described the death as a mystery to Osemwengie family. Sources close to Osemwengie family who pleaded for anonymity disclosed that some of the participants in the coronation of Mr. Osemwengie and their family members are deeply worried about the unfolding scenarios, with much foreboding uncertainty in the air.