Suspended Edo Monarch Drags Oshiomhole, 11 Others To Court
BEVERLY HILLS, November 08, (THEWILL) – The suspended traditional ruler of Uromi kingdom in Edo state, HRH Anslem Eidenojie II, the Ojuromi of Uromi, has dragged the Governor, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state and 11 others to court in a bid to stop the suspension.
In the suit filed by his counsel, Benjamin Iruobe, the plaintiff pursuant to Order 2 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights Procedure Rules 2009 of the administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 among others, want an order of the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in terms of the reliefs sought in the statement in support of the application.
He also wants the court to issue a declaration that the action of the 2nd Respondent, Oshiomhole, amounts to recklessness and abuse of office, unconstitutional, unlawful, and without a just cause.
Other respondents in the suit filled before a Benin High Court are the Commissioner of Police in Edo state, Mr Haliru Gwandu, ASP Natuke. Assistant Inspector General of Police – Zone 5, Inspector General of Police, Abuja, Nigeria Police Force, Betty Okoebor, Matthew Okoebor and Edo State Executive Council.
THEWILL recalls that the state Government suspended the monarch for one year for failing to apologise within the stipulated period to a woman, Ms Betty Okoeber, whom the Onojie allegedly assaulted on September 28 , at a polling unit in Uromi.
The government rejected the apologies he tendered having earlier suspended him for seven days and asked him to apologise for disobeying constituted authorities and allegedly assaulting the woman.
In a letter dated November 4, 2016 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, the state government said the one-year suspension takes effect from Monday, November 7.
“The flagrant arrogance of power and disregard for constituted authority compelled the State Executive Council in Session to suspend you from office as Ojuromi of Uromi for seven days in exercise of its legal powers,” the statement read in part.
“You were directed not to parade yourself as Ojuromi, carry out any activity as Ojuromi, to apologise to Ms. Okoebor and also to the Edo State Government.
“It is instructive to note that in your “Letter of Apology” of 28th October, 2016, you trivialised the gravity of your misconduct by describing what took place in public glare on the 28th of September where you were the assailant as an 'altercation' and 'family' affair.
“Your public assault and disgrace of a citizen of the Federal Republic, in your estimation, was a non-issue.
“In view of the facts established above, taking cognizance of your letter of apology that falls short of the public apology expected from you within the stipulated time, and the earlier suspension letter which had specified dethronement after seven days; in exercise of its powers, the Government of Edo State hereby commutes your dethronement to a one-year suspension from office as Ojuromi of Uromi in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law (1979) with effect from the 7th of November, 2016.
“During this period of suspension under extant laws, you are hereby stripped of all the privileges and rights of the Ojuromi of Uromi and barred from performing any duties whatsoever in that regard.”
Story by Oputah David