Palace chiefs from different groups, members of the Benin royal family, priests, priestesses, and well-wishers of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II have thronged the premises of the Edo State High Court, Sapele Road this morning May 9 to show solidarity with the Oba and the palace.

Two suspended Enigie (Dukes) in Benin Kingdom, Professor Gregory Akenzua and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen filed a lawsuit against the monarch after they were suspended. According to the suspended dukes, it is only the state governor and not the monarch that has the constitutional authority to remove them from office.

In the suit marked B/250os/2023, the suspended dukes claimed that their appointment as traditional chiefs enjoys recognition by the Edo State Government and that they were duly registered under Section 25(2) of the Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law. They also relied on Section 28 of the same Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law to state that only the State Executive Council may sanction them if they were found wanting; noting that the Oba has no right to usurp the powers conferred by law on the State Executive Council.

They denied any wrongdoing exercising their right to freedom of speech by writing a letter to the governor of the state along with 94 of their fellow Enigie in 2022, in which they called on the governor to exercise a power conferred on him by law which they believe will lead to more rapid development to the rural areas of the state, particularly Edo South Senatorial District.