Oba of Benin suspends 6 ‘traditional functionaries’

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has suspended six traditional functionaries for allegedly engaging in “sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood” against the Benin Custom. They were alleged to have, in a viral video, declared themselves subjects of the Ooni, rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and […]

Oba of Benin suspends 6 ‘traditional functionaries’

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has suspended six traditional functionaries for allegedly engaging in “sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood” against the Benin Custom.

They were alleged to have, in a viral video, declared themselves subjects of the Ooni, rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the suspended functionaries include Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo.

The functionaries’ suspension was contained in a public announcement issued by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and signed by the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe.

It said suspended functionaries did not only declared themselves subjects of the Ooni, but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

It said the BTC considers the conduct of the functionaries as inappropriate, sacrilegious and calculated to ridicule traditional history, and also to bring disrepute to Benin custom.