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The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, yesterday suspended Isekhurhe of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhurhe for alleged misconduct ranging from forceful and illegal collection of gratifications as well as reviewing cases already dealt with in the Oba palace.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Benin presided over by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe and other top palace chiefs, Igbe said the Isekhurhe of Benin allegedly desecrated the duties of the title and alleged that Isekhurhe designated his house as a palace where he held court in which he sometimes reviewed cases already dealt with in the Oba palace.
“Of course gratifications were there offered or forced and collected. He uses his position to influence new chiefs celebrating their investiture to perform certain rites in his residence, during which monies, kola nuts and drinks were collected.
“Senior chiefs were at times openly bad-mouthed and vilified by him, and during those times, he declared that the chiefs were not senior to him and that he would not pay respects to them again as palace cultures demand.
“He turned himself into a be all and end all, and a seeming authority in the Benin culture and tradition, especially palace procedures. He even pronounced himself the Head of the Royal family”, Igbe said.
Igbe added that during Emwinekhua (obsequies), Isekhurhe neglected and deliberately refused to perform his traditional duties before, during and after the event, and has since remained infinitely unrepentant.
According to him, “We cannot believe that anyone, any Benin individual who knows what the motivating Benin cultures and tradition are, and have worn the toga of a Benin Chief could do what Isekhurhe did these past two years. We find it difficult to accept even the idea that he was a chief. The disconnect has become actual and natural”.
“We recommend in the circumstances therefore, that he be suspended; and with the authority of Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, he is, with effect from today, 17th of January, 2017, suspended indefinitely from performing the duties of the Isekhurhe title which he now bears.
“Those duties were originally performed by the Ihama of Benin. They will now revert to the Ihama N’Ihogbe,” Igbe concluded.