———-No body can pitch us against the Place.
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
As the battle for who take delivery of the Benin Artefacts to be returned next year rages , Igun Descendants in Benin City has debunked the claim by Igun-Igbesamwan-Owina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America that the Artefacts stolen in 1897 by the British Invaders of Benin Kingdom were collected across the ancient City.
This was contain in a statement signed by Chief Kingsley osarenren Ineh, The Ineh of Igun, on behalf of Igun Community stating that their loyalty is to the Benin Palace and Oba Ewuare 11.
He said, “We are not part of the advertorial placed in the Vanguard that was signed by Erahuyi Isokponwu and Adolor Oviasu-Oreoghene respectively .
Chief Ine said Igun Community can never claim ownership of the Benin Artefacts as all art works are being done in the Palace.
He further said that the Bronze assembly in Igun is solely attached to the Benin Palace with total obedience to the wish of the Oba as it pleases His Royal Majesty, adding that all the Bronze work in the Palace are ordered for by His Royal Majesty in line with the dictates of the time.
“Saying that the Oba was gifted the art works is not only far from the truth, but is being peddled cheaply by those who desire to profit illegally from what they have no authority upon”.
According to him, “the Benin Palace is the right authority to receive the stolen Artefacts when it is eventually returned.
Some of the placards are:
“No body can pitch us against the Place. We are servants to the Oba”,
“We debunked the claims of Erhahuyi and Adolor.They should themselves by themselves.
“We dissociate ourselves from America and Europe fake descendants, we belong to the Omon’ Oba n’ Edo.
” We are saying that we are with His Royal Majesty Oba of Benin.
” Igun community will always be loyal to the Omon’ Oba. End.