Edo suspends tradition ruler for ‘assaulting’ a woman

The Edo state government says it has handed a seven-day suspension to Anselm Aidenojie, the Onojie of Uromi, over an alleged assault to one Betty Okoebor.

The assault was said to have occurred on September 28.

In a letter dated October 26, Julius Ihonvbere, secretary to the state government, said the traditional ruler’s refusal to reply a query on the matter showed disregard for constituted authority.

“I write to convey to you, the decision of the Edo state executive council at its meeting on the 26th October 2016, suspending you from office for 7 days as Onojie of Uromi. The suspension from office was based on, among other reasons,” the letter to the traditional ruler read.

“Your unprovoked attack, inflicting grievous bodily harm on one Mrs Betty Okoebor on September 28, 2016 in full public glare to the embarrassment of those present and causing disgrace to your otherwise esteemed office

“Your refusal, even after two weeks, to respond to a query issued by the appropriate authority within the stipulated 72 hours demonstrating total disregard and disrespect for constituted authority and travelling outside the country without appropriate permission in further demonstration of your disregard for extant regulations and laws.

“In the circumstances, the state executive council has arrived at a conclusion that these and other acts of misconduct of Your Royal Highness, the Onojie of Uromi are not only distasteful but also unbecoming of a traditional ruler of your status.

“Based on the above and convinced that your Highness has denied yourself of the opportunity of entering a plea against the charges against you that were duly conveyed in writing to you, and therefore in exercise of the powers conferred on the State Executive Council by virtue of Section 28(1) of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law (1979) and all other Laws enabling it in that behalf, has approved your suspension from office as the Onojie of Uromi with immediate effect for a period of seven (7) days, that is, from the 26th of October 2016 to the 1st of November, 2016.

“Consequently, within the suspension period, you shall cease to be recognised and treated as traditional ruler or as the Onojie of Uromi in Edo State and you shall not exercise any powers or function or enjoy any privileges provided for under the Traditional Rulers and Chief Law (1979) and all other relevant provisions under the said law.

“Within the 7-day suspension period, you are required to tender unreserved apologies to your victim, Mrs Betty Okoebor and the government of Edo state. However, if within the said 7 days no public apology in tendered by your very self, you will stand deposed as the Onojie of Uromi.”