By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
The People of Utekon Community, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, have appealed to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II Oba of Benin Kingdom, to look into the suspension of their Enogie, Eguagie Omoruyi Imasuen some years ago.
The protesters who marched through the kings square to the Oba palace, calling for the intervention of the Benin monarch to lift the suspension placed on their Enogie as his highness was innocent of all the charges leveled against him.
Both the old and young waving placards with different inscriptions, “Utekun Must Be Freed”, “Harrison Okao Must Be Prosecuted”, “We Want Our Enogie Back”, “Justice Must Prevail In Utekun”, “Oba Come To Our Rescue”, “We Want Our Enogie Back”, “Oba Gha To kpe”, “Harrison Is One Of the Enemy of Benin Kingdom”.
The protesters appealed to His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, to temper justice with mercy.
The travails of the Enogie which was said to have My
O lingered for over five years despite appeal that his case should be revisited when the person involved in the controversy has been found wanting by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and was subsequently removed as the Okao of the Benin Holy Aruosa.
The suspended Enogie said the committee set up then to look into the issue suspended him because they said he has no right to challenge the then Okao, a situation which led to his suspension.
Addressing the crowd, an elder of the Community, Isaac Ehanah said they decided to renew their appeal to the Oba of Benin Kingdom to lift the suspension of their Enogie because he was not found wanting over the charges leveled against him.
Responding, spokesperson for the Palace promised to relate their matter to His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11 ,the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
