The people of Utekon, a community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, have appealed to the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, N’Ogidigan, to come to their aid in the suspension of the Enogie of the community.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the people of the agrarian community said that the suspension of the Enogie is suspicious and calls for “thorough investigation to clarify the reasons for the action and not to make an innocent man suffer unjustly.”
According to the people, “we, the peace loving people of Utekon Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, wish to appeal for the intervention of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare11, N’Ogidigan in the ongoing debacle in the community whereby the Enogie of the community has been suspended based on some flimsy and unverifiable claims that he took Oba Erediauwa to court.
“In our assessment the suspension of the Enogie is suspicious and calls for thorough investigation to clarify the reasons for the action and not to make an innocent man suffer unjustly.
“It sounds ridiculous. How can an Enogie take Oba to court for appointing him as his representative over a Dukedom? For what reason will an Enogie take the Oba of Benin to court?
“It is very obvious that they lied against the Enogie and we are at a loss that such an action can be happening in the Palace of the revered Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare11, N’Ogidigan.”
Going further, they asserted: “Harrison Okao, who until recently was the Priest of Holy Arosa, seems to be economic with the truth on the matter. He should be made to show forth the details of the court proceedings where the Enogie of Utekon took our late Oba of Benin of blessed memories to court for verification.
“Such a taboo has never happened in Benin Kingdom before and thus the allegation should not be treated with kid gloves at all.
“Again, we are appealing to our Great Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, to look into this matter so that some mischief makers will not place justice upside down.
“We stand for truth, justice and fair play in this matter and the Omo N’Oba N’Edo is our only hope in resolving it.”
