Friday, May 16, 2025 - The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has sacked the priest of Okhuoromi community in Oredo Local Government Area, Ovbokhan Igbinovia, over alleged land grabbing, extortion, and unauthorized demolition of private properties.
The priest of the community was sacked by the monarch on
Thursday, May 15, 2025.
The allegations leveled against the priest were a clear
violation of Benin customs and tradition.
The Oba’s order was conveyed by Chief Osaro Idah, the
Obazelu of Benin, to the elders of Okhuoromi, led by its Odionwere (village
head), Pa. Oghagbon Edosomwan.
He, however, mandated the village head to administer the
area on his behalf.
Idah, who was joined by other palace chiefs such as Isaac
Oyeoba (Oyeoba of Benin) and Chief Uyi Okungbowa (Ogua of Benin), while
addressing Okhuoromi elders and victims of the land grabbing and those whose
property was demolished, said anyone who contravenes the verdict would incur
the wrath of the law and ancestors.
The Oba, who opined that the Benin throne does not support
acts of lawlessness and criminality under any guise, distanced the palace from
the alleged sacrilege.
He, however, urged the people of the community to eschew
violence.
He assured the victims that justice would be served in due
course.
The monarch disclosed that palace chiefs have been assigned
to further investigate and assess the level of damages in the community, just
as he advised the victims to channel their complaints with pictorial and video
evidence to the appropriate authorities.
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