From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Palace Chiefs of the Benin Kingdom, yesterday in a statement, warned that it was an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with the Benin traditional institution’s well-established and fully functional process of customary arbitration under the authority of His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.
The statement was in response to alleged plan by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to initiate dispute resolution of the suit filed by two suspended Enigie against the Oba of Benin.
The statement signed by Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, the Osuma of Benin and eight other palace chiefs, admonished the public to be wary of the abominable efforts to undermine the Benin traditional institution through deliberate acts and utterances which are calculated to create confusion.
“Our attention has been drawn to the reported plan by the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to initiate dispute resolution of the suit filed by two suspended Enigie against His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin.
“Our attention has also been drawn to a statement credited to the Honourable Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Edo State, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in which he claims that the suit filed by the Enigie is a family dispute within the Benin Royal Family.
“We wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that the Benin traditional institution has a well-established and fully functional process of customary arbitration under the authority of His Royal Majesty, The Oba of Benin. This process of customary arbitration is well-known to all Benin traditional chiefs, including the suspended Enigie.
“Any traditional chief who has any genuine cause to be aggrieved is at liberty to explore this customary arbitration process. It is, therefore, an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with this age-long and well-established process of customary arbitration.
“We also wish to emphasise that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin reigns over the Benin Kingdom as the spiritual and royal father of the Benin people, irrespective of family status, age and office. Consequently, it is an affront for anyone to suggest that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin is in dispute with those over whom he reigns, including members of the Royal Family.
“We admonish members of the public to be wary of the abominable efforts to undermine the Benin traditional institution through deliberate acts and utterances which are calculated to create confusion. We appeal to members of the public to remain law-abiding, and pray for peace to continue to reign in Benin Kingdom,” the statement said.