Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has imposed a ban on six palace officials who were previously suspended.
These officials had allegedly misrepresented themselves as emissaries of the palace at an event with the Ooni of Ife. The suspension of these officials was initially announced by Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin, in a letter on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council dated April 26.
A statement released on April 29, 2024, by Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, confirmed that these suspended officials are now prohibited from participating in palace activities.
The officials in question are Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre Ihogbe, S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba Ogbelaka, Ogbeide Osagie, and Osamudiame.
Iguobaro stated that these officials, who had acted against Benin customs in a disrespectful display of dishonesty, are now banned from the Oba Palace in Benin City, Edo State. He further explained that these individuals had falsely claimed to represent His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, in front of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjájá II. They had given an incorrect and disjointed account of the relationship between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooniship of Ife at the Ooni of Ife’s palace in Osun State.
According to Iguobaro, these officials admitted their mistakes before a committee led by Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie, the Uwangue of Benin. The committee, which viewed their actions as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Benin Kingdom, upheld the suspension of these officials. They were stripped of their Benin royal beads, their recognition as palace officials, and their traditional titles, which were returned to the ancestors.
Iguobaro added that these suspended officials are now also prohibited from identifying themselves as Benin palace officials and from participating in any traditional rites in Benin.