Edo govt deposes traditional ruler 

The Edo state government has deposed Anselm Edenojie, the Ojuromi of Uromi land.

Julius Ihonvbere, secretary to the state government, revealed this in a letter signed addressed to the affected monarch.

The letter entitled: ‘Deposition from Office as Ojuromi of Uromi’, read: “Please be informed that the initial exco decision of 26th October 2016 has been further affirmed.

“Consequently, you have been deposed as the Ojuromi of Uromi pursuant to Section 28 (i & ii) of the traditional rulers & chiefs law, 1979.

“Kindly, therefore, disregard our letter of 4th November 2016 on the subject “Re: Letter of Apology to Edo State Government.”

The action came days after Edenojie filed a N1 billion suit against the government over his suspension for one year.

The government had earlier suspended the monarch for seven days for allegedly assaulting one Betty Okoebor during the September 28 governorship election in Esan north-east local government area.

The government had directed him to apologise to the woman within the period of the seven-day suspension or risk dethronement.

But in another development, the state executive council, in a letter dated November 4, 2016, and signed by Ihonvbere, extended the traditional ruler’s suspension to one year.

It also stripped him of all the privileges and rights of the Ojuromi of Uromi, citing Section 28(1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law (1979), adding that his remuneration from the five per cent monthly allocation to the local government shall be appropriated and donated to orphanages during the period.

But the traditional ruler, through his counsel, Benjamin Iruobe, urged the court to declare that the action of the governor (second respondent) amounted to recklessness and abuse of office, was unconstitutional, unlawful, actionable and without a just cause.