Benin –  The face off between the Edo state government and the monarch of Uromi town has reached a climax, with his deposition.

The Adams Oshiomhole government in a terse statement  today by secretary Professor Julius Ihonvbere announced the decision.

Government in a letter conveyed its decision to the deposed king, Ojuromi of Uromi.

The letter addressed him  ordinarily as Mr Aselm O Edenojie.

The government statement  which was entitled:  “Deposition from Office as Ojuromi of Uromi: Addendum”, read:

“Please be informed that the initial Exco decision of 26th October 2016 has been further affirmed.

The deposed Ojuromi of Uromi
The deposed Ojuromi of Uromi

“Consequently, you have been deposed as the Ojuromi of Uromi pursuant to Section 28 (i & ii) of the Traditional Rulers & Chiefs Law, 1979.

“Kindly, therefore, disregard our letter of 4th November 2016 on the subject “Re: Letter of Apology to Edo State Government.”

The king’s problem with the Oshiomhole government began on  28 September, when he was accused of assaulting a woman.

Government gave him a query and ordered him to apologise to the woman assaulted.

The dethroned king ignored the letter and even ignored the government by travelling out of his domain, overseas.

Government placed him on a 7-day suspension and still demanded a letter of apology for snubbing it  and failing to apologise to the lady assaulted.

On 4 November,  the government  stepped up its sanctions by  suspending the king known as  Zaiki Edenojie II for one year, effective from Monday.

In addition, the monarch who ruled the home town of Chief Tony Anenih, the PDP leader was stripped of all his rights and privileges that he had hitherto exercised. He was also to lose a share of the five per cent revenue accruing to the local council.

And now the sledge hammer: he is now to lose his throne and become an ordinary citizen: Mr. Aselm O Edonije.