Below is a letter written to the Esama of Benin kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion by civil rights activist, Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor.
Good evening my respected Chief and father. I am using this medium to write you to express my take on the unfolding issue on a land that is now issue of litigation in court.
Over the years, I have come to respect you as a father and as family for so many things you represent.
It is for these obvious reasons that I found my way to your house to see you and I pleaded with you recently. And as a father, you graciously instructed your lawyer to engage my lawyer with a view of having the issue amicably resolved. For this purpose, my lawyer, your lawyer and other individuals from both sides have been to the subject matter and several meetings held between the two lawyers.
I had hoped that the whole issue will be amicably resolved but I was taking aback by my lawyer’s call this evening.
My lawyer informed me that you instructed your lawyer to back out of the settlement plan.
While I concede that we all have right to decide what we do, but such rights must necessarily be guided by certain factors- our person, time, relationship etc. I consider your person and long period of time that I have known you and your family as very important and should have been brought to bear in taking a stand on this matter.
I still believe that amicable resolution of this case is the best way out. Our last option is the court and if by your decision it’s the only option, to court we go.
Lastly, I want to remind you that Alexander the Great was a strong man, and he conquered many nations. When it was his time, he never went to the other side with a single pin.
And I ask, what shall it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?
Accumulation, accumulation, accumulation. We are going to leave everything behind.
Let me assure you that justice delayed is not justice denied. If the two of us are still alive by the next three decades, I would in your presence testify that you, Osawaru Gabriel Igbinedion is not God, because justice must prevail.
Let me remind you sir, that Edo no be Lagos. Nobody can play Tinubu in Edo State because its the heartbeat of the nation. Its the land of the brave.
Thanks and God bless you. Domo baba. We were in court today. Justice Oviawe was the judge and I told him that you have told me he is your son. I also told him I don’t believe I can get fair trial in his court because of your relationship with him.
I am not going to go to the press, I respect you as a father and am going to leave you with your conscience. Conscience is an open wound, only truth will heal it. Remember I don’t have any problem with you. The problem is between me and your son in law Osunde.
Best regards.
Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor, Ultimate Equals.
CC: Chief Ken Owie.
