Traditional Functionaries Barred from Oba’s Palace Amid Contentious Visit to Ooni of Ife

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Some traditional functionaries who went to pay homage to the Ooni of Ife have been barred from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

The functionaries at the weekend, engaged in what the Benin customs custodians described as sacrilege, show of shame and falsehood, which earlier earned them suspension.

The persons involved included: Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe); S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesoghoba (Ogbelaka); and two other Ogbelaka functionaries — Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Ed.

The palace said they falsely claimed to be emissaries of the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin in the presence of the Ooni of Ife His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; (Ojaja II).

It said  they rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the link between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife at Ooni of Ife’s Palace in Osun State recently.

A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Osaigbovo Iguobaro yesterday, said those involved admitted before the committee led by Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie, the Uwangue of Benin that they erred against Benin Customs.

The Uwangue of Benin, who described their action as a deliberate attempt to rubbish Benin Kingdom, pronounced the suspension of palace functionaries.

Consequently, they were also stripped off Benin Royal beads, recognition as palace functionaries and their traditional titles, which were handed over to the ancestors.

The suspended palace functionaries were also barred from parading themselves as Benin Palace functionaries and stopped from participating in any traditional rites in Benin.

They were thereafter escorted out of the Palace by Chiefs, including Ewaise (traditional seers) with occipital horns invoked ancestral spirits to bear witness.