Michael Egbejule, Benin City
The palace of the Isekhure of Benin located on Sakponba road in Benin City was on Tuesday stormed by unidentified chiefs who destroyed part of the palace building with a prominent traditional statute in front of the palace completely destroyed.
The attack on the premises of Isekhure of Benin Kingdom is coming on the heels of the suspension of the Isekhure by the Benin traditional council with the authority of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II.
It will be recalled that the Isekhure was alleged to have conducted himself to a manner that amount to insubordination amongst other allegations ranging forceful and illegal collection of gratifications as well as the reviewing cases already dealt with in the Oba palace.
The chiefs who were suspected to be emissaries from the Benin palace, it was gathered as earlier giving the Isekhure 24 hours ultimatum to handover the royal symbol of authority and other traditional artifact in his possession, failure to do so he will be ordered to relinquish them.
When our correspondent visited the premises of the Isekhure palace, there were evidence of relics of destruction as the doors and windows were shattered and traditional art works and designs beautifying the palace walls and buildings were destroyed.
However, there were heavy present of security operatives at the palace to avoid further breakdown of law and orders around the palace ground.
ThenewsGuru.com recalls that the Isekhure has given the palace 14 days ultimatum to come up with any proof on the allegations leveled against him of face legal action.
The 14 days ultimatum by the Isekhure to the Benin traditional council may unconnected with the attack on the palace of the Isekhure.
The Benin traditional council have earlier accused the Isekhure of series of allegations ranging from collection of gratifications, as well as deliberately refusing to perform his traditional duties before, during and after the coronation of the Oba of Benin and has since remained infinitely unrepentant.