By Jethro Ibileke
Indigenes of Obateru village, near Ughoton in Ovia North-East Local government Area of Edo State, have appealed to the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to suspend the planned installation of one Afona Aimuamweran Otasowie as the Ohen (Priest) of Obagbeni village.
Rather, they urged the Royal father to investigate alleged sacrilegious and devious activities of Otasowie and his cohorts, with a view to calling them order in the interest of justice.
They made the plea in a petition signed by the Uzukpogieva (second most elderly man), Mr. Emmanuel Uwagboe and Secretary, Mr Kevin Okunzuwa, insisting that there was neither a shrine nor a Priest (Ohen) in Obateru village to warrant such position.
According to the petition, Otasowie and his cohorts, in their deceit and desperation to claim affinity to Obateru, a village they had earlier claimed does not exist, clandestinely chose another name, Obagbeni, to refer to the same Obateru village to deceive the palace.
The Obateru people, who described themselves as the original settlers of the village, with affinity to Ughoton, said only one Priest, (Ohen Okun), was recognisable even by the palace.
This is even as they alleging that Otasowie, in connivance with some influential individuals in the palace, had manipulated facts to also deceive the palace and drag Obateru name in the controversy, which is currently a subject of litigation before an Appeal Court in Benin.
They wondered why Otasowie, who has been parading himself as an Ohen Oriaza, as contained in several documents in public domain, now wants the palace’s approval for something he had imposed on himself.
Arising from Otasowie’s alleged deceit and cunning maneuvering to misinform and mislead the palace on the position of the Priesthood, the elders and the people of Obateru, humbly urge the Oba to suspend his installation forthwith not to drag the palace into disrepute.
“Your Majesty, may we quickly add that Obateru is in court with its neighbouring village, Evbuorokho, over the same contentious issue of its existence as an autonomous village.
“While a Benin High Court has given judgment in suit No.HOCK/45/2008, in favour of Obateru village, the matter still pends at the appeal court in suit No. CA/B/609/2015,” the petition stated.
Also speaking before the Palace Chiefs, Uwagboe, noted that traditionally, the Ohen Okun of Ughoton, is the only recognised priest within the Ekenwan axis.
“This is the reason why Otasowie deceitfully corrupted Obateru to Obagbeni to get Oba Ewuare II approval to be installed as Ohen where non has ever existed.
“Your Royal Majesty, Otasowie and his cohorts at several occasions attacked members of Obateru with armed thugs to cause fear and overun the leadership of Obateru for his selfish and pecuniary gains to further advance his haulage business.
“Otasowie and his sibling, Osazee, have severally boasted that they will use their connections to some influential individuals within the palace to achieve this desire after their failed attempt to arrest elders of Obateru village with operatives from the Zone 5.”
The people have therefore appealed to his Majesty to suspend the planned installation, investigate the
