By Lucky Efese
The Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11 CFR, has affirmed the immediate suspension of the Chief Priest (Ohen) of Okhoromi Village in Iyekeogba, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Ovbokhan Igbinovia, over allegations of land grabbing and demolition of properties worth millions of naira belonging to developers.
The Oba has consequently asked the Odionwere (village head) to take charge of the administration of the village henceforth.
Recall that some developers including persons indigenous to the village had, few days ago, staged a protest to the Palace of the Oba of Benin to register their displeasure over the way and manner the suspended Ohen had been treating them by forcefully taking over their lands and demolished their properties without recourse to the implications, resulting in his suspension.
Addressing the odionwere, Pa John Edosomwan, elders, villagers and developers at the palace, Thursday, on the authority of the Oba, Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin kingdom, who led three other Palace Chiefs, said that his Majesty frowned at the criminal intent of the deposed Chief Priest who was supposed to administer the village in trust for the Oba, saying the Benin monarch has zero tolerance for crime and criminal activities in the kingdom.
He said in a bid to avoid any vacuum in the administration of the village, the Palace had to immediately appoint the odionwere to oversee the day to day administration of the village.
Chief Idah, urged the odionwere to work with the elders, people and developers in the village to bring peace, harmonious living and development to the village.
He assured aggrieved indigenes and developers of his office’s disposition to bringing justice to them, but advised them not to tell lies over their claims.
He added that they (Palace Chiefs) will come to the village to inspect and ascertain the levels of their complaints regarding the misconduct of the suspended chief priest.
Responding, the odionwere, Pa John Edosomwan, thanked the Oba on behalf of his people, for the confidence reposed in him, assuring his administration will work in tandem with the palace laid down rules to bring peace, unity and development to the village
