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…demands abolition of the seven traditional councils in Edo South
The Benin Traditional Council, BTC has put the records over the creation of seven traditional councils in Edo and have conditions on the way forward.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports this was contained in a public statement issued and signed by its legal representatives, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, and Professor, Edoba Omoregie, SAN entitled:
Public statement:
Re: Plan For Amicable Resolution Of Conflicts Between
Edo State Government And The Benin Traditional
Institution’ stating that:
“As Solicitors to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and on its instructions, we hereby
make the following public statement without prejudice to the pending legal challenges involving the BTC and the Edo State Government:
The conflicts between the BTC and the Edo State Government appears to
have begun with the bitter dispute over ownership of the ancient artefacts looted from
the Palace of the Oba of Benin by the British Colonial forces during the Benin Massacre
of 1897.
“The federal government has since settled the issue of rightful ownership in
favour of the Palace by the gazetting of the ownership and custody of the artefacts in
the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.
“When the idea of creating new traditional councils in Edo South
was subsequently mooted by some Enigie in a letter to the State Government
of November, 2022, the BTC through the lyase of Benin and other chiefs of the Oba
Palace made formal and informal efforts to dissuade the government from acceding to
the request of the applicant Enigie.
“The BTC had emphasized that the government’s
plan would amount to balkanizing the Benin Kingdom as there is no other traditional
ruler in Edo South to preside over the proposed traditional councils than His Royal
Majesty, the Oba of Benin.
“Despite the conciliatory effort of the BTC, the State Government proceeded to
announce the creation of new traditional councils in the seven local government areas
of Edo South to co-exist with the BTC. The State Government also seized the statutory
financial entitlement of the BTC.
“The decision of government to create the new
traditional councils is currently being challenged by the BTC before the State High
Court.
“Upon the creation of the new traditional councils, the State Governor publicly received
some Enigie who had mooted the idea, including those suspended for sundry violations
of traditional norms. Following the petition of the BTC of impersonation against two Enigie, the police brought a criminal charge against one of them, and was at the verge of arraigning the other when the State Government intervened by nullifying the first
charge.
“The State Government also wrote to the National Assembly to affirm that
the creation of the new traditional councils in Edo South is a fait accompli.
“The two
Enigie have since filed a joint suit in the State High Court to challenge their suspension.
In the midst of these conflicts, the State Government has, without due process, written to His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II on 19th April, 2024 to revoke
the concession of Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, a concession which has been
frustrated since November, 2016 by the decision of the State Government to convert
the Centre to a motor park.
” The BTC emphasizes that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin is the father of all Benin
people including members of the Royal family. Therefore, any matter that affects the
customs and traditions of the Benin people, of which His Royal Majesty is the exclusive
custodian, cannot be reduced to a family affair of the Benin Royal Family as asserted
by the State Government in its public release on the suit instituted by the two Enigie
against His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.
“The BTC notes the reported interest of the Edo State Government in an amicable
resolution of the conflicts. While not averse to any such resolution, the BTC believes
that this can only be genuinely achieved through:
1. The abolition by the Edo State Government of the new seven traditional
councils in Edo South.
2. Complete restoration of the statutory financial entitlement of the BTC to
the status quo prior to the date of the creation of those seven traditional councils
in Edo South; and the refund of
the balance of
statutory financial entitlement of the BTC withheld since that date.
such
3. A clear commitment by the Edo State Government to avoid further
interference with the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Institution as
prescribed by the Benin Customary Law including the established disciplinary
processes, under the authority of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His
Royal Majesty Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.
4. The withdrawal of the letter issued by the Edo State Government revoking the
concession of Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre; and the restoration of the
Centre by the State Government to its previous enviable condition, to be
suitable for the purpose of the concession.