By Jethro Ibileke
The indigenous people of Obarune village, in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State, have accused members of a palace dispute resolution committee set up by the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, of acting against the dictates of the revered monarch.
They made the claim in a petition titled: “Protest letter against attempt to foist leadership on Obarune village”. The petition was signed by the second most senior elder of the village, Uwagboe Osamagioghomwenwi, and its secretary, Osasumwen Kevin Okunzuwa.
The Obarune indigenes alleged that following their earlier protest against the planned installation of an impostor, one Afona Isibor, as Ohen (traditional priest) of their village, the Oba intervened by setting up a fact-finding committee to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the claim.
They further explained that the committee, led by the Ogua of Benin, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, were ordered by Oba Ewuare II, to take an oath before embarking on the fact-finding mission.
“Oba Ewuare II also warned the said Isibor to stop parading himself as Ohen (traditional priest).
“But, contrary to your clear order and definitive directive on that day, the Palace Dispute Resolution Committee has employed all manners of intrigues to subvert justice by twisting the facts in the above subject matter.
“While the Chief Ogua-led delegation, failed to carry out your Majesty’s directive. He seems to have continued to encourage Isibor and his cohorts in their mischief.
“Isibor, who still addressed himself as Ohen, summoned elders of Obarune before Chief Victor Aigbovbiosa, the Ohen-Okun (traditional Priest) of Ughoton and Elders of Unuode Ekenwan, in Ovia North East LGA over the same matter.
“Unfortunately for them, the Ohen-Okun of Ughoton and the elders respectfully declined to entertain the petition after perusing undisputed evidence in documents from us and hearing your Majesty’s ruling in the matter,” the petition stated.
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The Obarune elders accused the said Chief Ogua and some members of the palace dispute resolution committee had of bias in their decision, as they try to subvert justice in the matter.
“Your Majesty, at our last invitation on September 26, 2024, members of the Committee present, already with a pre-determined decision, bluntly refused to heed our protest, while Chief Ogua in particular openly declared that your Majesty’s directive was no longer relevant to the matter before the committee.
“For the sake of clarity, We had also rejected the Committee’s resolution to foist unknown persons whom it tagged “interim leadership” of Obateru/Obagbeni, because it’s alien to Benin Customs and tradition.
“Your Royal Majesty, from the foregoing, it has become clear to us that members of the Committee mean no good as their actions and body languages portray them as very biased and subjective.
“As your loyal and law abiding subjects who do not want to resort to self help due to the respect for the highly revered Benin monarchy, we still trust and believe that only your Royal Majesty’s wise counsel and intervention will bring peaceful definitive resolution in this matter to avert chaos.
“We are therefore appealing to your Majesty’s intervention to nip in the bud the brewing crisis being fanned by Chief Ogua and the Committee,” the people said.
