By Ishaya Ibrahim
The High Court premises on Sapele Road in Benin was turned to a traditional worship ground on Thursday after two Benin Chiefs dragged the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II to court over their suspension.
The two suspended chefs known as Enigie (Dukes) in Benin Kingdom, Professor Gregory Akenzua and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen filed a lawsuit against the Oba. The Oba was then slammed with a summon to appear in court on May 9.
It is not clear whether the Oba honoured the summon. But Benin priests and priestesses were in the court in their numbers to chant and make some incantations in the name of Oba.
The Oba was summoned to court in a suit marked B/250os/2023 filed by the suspended dukes.
They are protesting their suspension on the ground that their appointment as traditional chiefs enjoy recognition of the Edo State Government and that they were duly registered under Section 25(2) of the Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law.
They also relied on Section 28 of the same Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law to state that only the State Executive Council may sanction them if they were found wanting; noting that the Oba has no right to usurp the powers conferred by law on the State Executive Council.
They denied any wrongdoing exercising their right to freedom of speech by writing a letter to the governor of the state along with 94 of their fellow Enigie in 2022, in which they called on the governor to exercise a power conferred on him by law which they believe will lead to more rapid development to the rural areas of the state, particularly Edo South Senatorial District.
PDP wants to bring shame to the people of Edo State.
Federal High Court Sapele Road. pic.twitter.com/q6C6zi8R1d— SERAH IBRAHIM (@TheSerahIbrahim) May 9, 2024
