Onazena Abbey, Benin-City
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has warned individuals, groups and villages with genuine complaints and claims to refrain from making inflammatory statements and utterances to security agencies in the state.
Oba Ewuare called on aggrieved persons to refer all matters to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and exercise utmost restraint, saying pending issues relating to communities dispute were suspended by the palace prior to COVID-19.
Spokesperson for the Oba and the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, said there were existing established palace structures, processes and procedures for handling such complaints arising from disputes among and between individuals, groups and villages.
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His words, “These structures at the moment have been placed on hold as a result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic to ensure that all necessary protocols and advisories as stipulated by the government and relevant authorities are adhered with.”
Oba Ewuare II said, “It is expected that all Pre-COVID-19 arrangements maintain the status quo as we all patiently await the lifting or relaxation of the various lockdown protocols and the subsequent resumption and adjudication of complaints emanating from individuals, groups and villages.”
According to the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, “His Royal Majesty reiterates that this restrain and maintenance of peace is the minimum sacrifice that all and sundry are expected to make to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the entire globe is contained for the safety and security of lives and the assurance of public health, pending when activities revert back to normal and where issues pertaining to existing and emerging complaints and disputes shall be resolved in line with established processes and procedures.”
The monarch further cautioned that, “all individuals, groups and villages who are engaged in this unwholesome practice should desist forthwith,” adding that “it is pertinent to note that failure to heed to this word of caution may lead to a situation where erring individuals and groups indicted for such delinquency will be made to bear the consequences of their actions as stipulated by the provisions of extant laws of the federal Republic of Nigeria, and attendant sanctions on line with Benin Traditional Customs and norms.
“It has come to the attention of the Oba’s palace that certain individuals, groups and villages have engaged in making Frivolous Complaints and claims by various security agencies.
“These complaints and claims are being Communicated to the palace to make the needed clarifications as they border on Benin Traditional Customs and norms which falls directly under the purview of His Royal Majesty.”
