The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, banished six of his palace Chiefs, removing their traditional titles and sending them away from the palace.
This happened because they were accused of breaking important traditional rules.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba, Mr. Osaigbovo Iguobaro, in Benin, announced the banishment.
Iguobaro explained that these Chiefs did something disrespectful and dishonest against Benin customs. He called them “self-serving” and lacking in integrity.
The Chiefs affected are Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesoghoba (Ogbelaka), Ogbeide Osagie, and Osamudiame Edo.
They wrongly claimed to represent the Oba of Benin in front of the Ooni of Ife, another important king, and gave incorrect information about the connection between Benin’s royal family and the Ooni of Ife’s family.
Later, they admitted their mistake to an investigative committee led by Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie, the Uwangue of Benin.
The Uwangue of Benin decided their actions were deliberate and disrespectful to the Benin Kingdom, so he banished them.
They lost their titles, royal beads, and recognition as palace Chiefs, and these were given back to their ancestors.
They can no longer act as palace Chiefs or take part in any traditional ceremonies in Benin. They were escorted out of the Palace by other Chiefs, while traditional seers invoked ancestral spirits as witnesses.
