Self acclaimed Enogie Victor
* Lament his excesses, cry for Oba Ewuare II, EDSG intervention!
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
The people of Ugonoba Village Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have joined their neighbour; the people of Ogomoson to cry out over the execesses of alleged self acclaimed Enogie Victor Emunwahen a.ka. Enogie of Abuja. This is coming barely a couple of days ago after Ogomoson people also raised the alarm about the excesses of the alleged self acclaimed Enogie who they said is illegally imposing his authority on them. The Ugonoba people like their neighbour lament what they termed: his ‘unfettered execesses and draconian grip’ in the exercise of the duties and authority of the office of the Enogie, which they alleged he does not have the legal right. In dire need of rescue from his alleged totalitarian acts and activities; they passionately appeal for the quick intervention of the Benin Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II, Edo State Government and all relevant authorities.
Weekend, they addressed the media saying they were tired and can no longer contain his excesses as he makes life miserable for them.
Speaking on behalf of the people, one of the four ranking elders, Pa. Owie Arhiavbere narrates; Victor Etionosa Emunwahen Ikpomwingie has been illegally forcing on the people his authority and leadership as a self acclaimed Enogie. “Whereas, since the passing of the last Enogie, nobody has been installed officially. “Having failed to get affirmation of his desire to be Enogie at the Police Zone 5, Benin High Court and even at the Palace of HRM Oba Ewuare II, Victor now parades a judgement purportedly gotten from a court in Abuja, which allegedly ordered that he be made and recognised as the Enogie of Ugoniyekeikpoba.
“But we are saying that in the age long Benin tradition and culture, the authority does not rest in the court to make anyone Enogie hence we don’t even know him let alone recognise the office he is trying to usurp.
“The Palace of the Oba had warned him to stop parading himself as Enogie over us but he would not comply.
” He has continued to terrorize us and the rest of the Villages which constitute the Ugoniyekeikpoba Dukedom through all manner of means including the use of armed thugs.
“Unilaterally he sells our lands to unsuspecting buyers and anyone who braces up to confront him, he threatens with police arrest, including other means and here; our youths are victims. Now, we know no peace!
“So, as it stands; Victor is not only a deviant but obviously above the law hence we are pressured to cry out for the help of all relevant authorities.”
Also, Victor is being accused of indulging in the outlawed CDA activities in the locality, as allegedly he always would not allow developers to continue work until they settle him monetarily. He has his agents working for him it was alleged.
Victor, who the people also refer to as the Enogie of Abuja is said to be contesting the office of the Enogie of Ugoniyekeikpoba with his cousin; Uwaifo Oguigo Orhue who many alleged is the rightful person.
Emmanuel Sunday Oviasogie who is said to be the next Odionwere (Village Head) of Ugonoba also narrates chronological order of the past till date.
“We had all been living in peace until it was the turn of Uwaifo Oguigo Orhue to be the Enogie of Ugoniyekeikpoba Dukedom.
“His forebears had occupied the office but surprisingly Victor who is his cousin, also is laying claim to the Enogie stool saying he had been installed by Urhomehe Village instead of Ugonoba whose authority it is to do so.
“He incessantly uses police to arrest the people of Ugonoba especially the youths for daring to confront his illegalities and sometimes unleashes terror on us using armed thugs.”
Sunday Ogunsuyi one of the youths and Eliot Ikpomwonsa, Okaighele (leader of the youths) corroborated the narrative of the earlier speakers. They queried; “his grandfather, Ikpomwingie and biological father Emunwahen were never installed Enogie so we do not know how he is now Enogie.” As they reiterate that the alleged self acclaimed Enogie is not only now a thorn in their flesh; but an avoidable obstacle to the growth and development of the locality. The people therefore passionately appeal to the Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II, Edo State Government and the relevant authorities to come rescue them from the unending terror of Victor, and peace restored in the area. They also used the occasion to congratulate the Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, the Benin Traditional Council and entire Benin Kingdom for the recent return from Germany, the coronation stools of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie. Expressing unwavering loyalty to the authority of the Monarch, they prayed for his continued peaceful reign on the throne. However when contacted for reaction via the mobile phone, Victor would neither confirm nor deny the allegations against him.
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