Land Grabbing:Oba Of Benin Strips Community Priest Of Title

Land Grabbing:Oba Of Benin Strips Community Priest Of Title

Oba Ewuare II,the Oba of Benin, has Thursday deposed the traditional priest of Okhuoromi community in the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Ovbokhan Igbinovia, from his position following a series of misdeeds.

This is conveyed in a statement signed by Mr. Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin.

Igbinovia was stripped of his title by the Benin monarch on account of his alleged abominable traditional practices, including land grabbing, extortion, and the unauthorised demolition of private properties.

The allegations, which are in clear violation of Benin customs and tradition, were levelled against him by some individuals.

Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, conveyed the Benin monarch’s decision to the elders of Okhuoromi led by Odionwere, the village head, Pa. Oghagbon Edosomwan, who was mandated to administer the area on his behalf henceforth.

Obazelu, who was joined by other Palace Chiefs, Isaac Oyeoba (Oyeoba of Benin) and Chief Uyi Okungbowa (Ogua of Benin), while addressing Okhuoromi elders and victims of land grabbing and property demolition in Oba Palace in Benin City, said anyone who contravenes the verdict will incur the wrath of the law and ancestors.

Oba Ewuare II stated that the Benin throne does not support acts of lawlessness and criminality under any guise, while distancing the Benin palace from the alleged sacrilege, and urged the Okhuoromi people to eschew violence.

He also assured land protesting victims of land grabbing and extortion who were caught in the deposed priest’s web and his agents, as well as his privy, that justice will be served in due course.

He noted that palace chiefs have been assigned to further investigate and assess the level of damage in the community.

He urged individuals with claims regarding the issues to channel their complaints with pictorial video evidence to the appropriate authorities.