By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The last may not have been heard as regards the squabbles between the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and the Ogiamien Family as the latter has vowed not to apologise over Ogiamien Rich Arisco Osemwingie’s claims to the Ogiamien chieftaincy title.
Besides, the family insisted that Ogiamien Osemwingie is paternally from the ancient family as against the claim by BTC that he is only maternally related to the historical Benin family.
High Chief Monday Wehere, the director, Information and External Affairs of the Great Ogiamien Dynasty who spoke Sunday to journalists in Benin said that when it became evident that Ogiamien Osarobo Okhuonghae was missing, the family wrote to the then Edo State Commissioner of Police to alert them of his mysterious disappearance.
Chief wehere said that Ogiamien Osemwingie’s biological father, late Prince Daniel Osemwingie Orumwense is the direct male child of late Prince Orumwense Ogienor, the direct male child of Prince Ogienor Ekunwe who is the direct male child of Ogiamien Okhuahrnzuwa.
The Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe had insisted that Benin people both at home and in the diaspora were not happy with the state government over the withdrawal of the criminal case against Ogiamien Osemwingie and one other.
Chief Igbe reiterated: “The Edo state government has withdrawn the said criminal charges against Mr. Rich Arisco Osemwingie, but after due consideration, we hereby demand that Mr. R we LLich Arisco Osemwingie should tender unreserved apology to the Benin people in at least three national newspaper and pledge his unalloyed loyalty to our only and indivisible Benin Throne, which is the Oba of Benin. This apology should be made within a reasonable time.”
The spokesman let it be known that the family is not dragging the stool of Oba of Benin with Omo N’Oba Ewuare 11, noting that it is on record that Mr. Stephen Onwecheo, the then Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command on Tuesday August 6, 2015 published a police press release about the missing Ogiamien Okhuonghae.
He said that Ogiamien Osemwingie was installed in accordance with native laws and customs as nature abhors vacuum.
Wehere said: “What is today known as Ogiamien Stool came in 9th Century AD. At inception, the Ogiso Royal Stool. The first occupant was Pa Idu Ogiso the primogeniture of Igodomigodo. He was known as Ogiso Igodo.
“From the era of Ogiso Igodo to the present era, the Ogiso Royal Stool has passed through four different transitions.
“For record purpose, the Ogiamien Stool can be inherited by any direct male child from any of the Ruling Houses.” He stated.