The people of Ogiza Village in Iyekogba, Oredo Local Government Council Area of Edo State have appealed for the intervention of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II over an alleged impersonation, and self installation as the Odionwere (Village administrative Head).
Also, over an alleged illegal sales of community land; pleading for an audience before the Monarch, to state the true position of happenings in the community.
On behalf of the people, Mr. Lawrence Alohan; Ozukpogieha (3rd in ranking) in the community addressed journalists recently in Benin.
He alleged that one Otenghabun Eghonmwanre is impersonating the office of the Odionwere having imposed himself.
Eghonmwanre he alleged unilaterally used the hijacked office of the Odionwere to sell the community land including the school, and market to Ugogogin community.
The same land area, he said was later sold to a popular Realtor in Edo State by Eghonmwanre and collaborators.
As he accused Eghonmwanre for all the challenges confronting the people of Ogiza Village, following his alleged clandestine activities.
Continuing, Alohan alleged that some persons in the Palace illegally aided his installation as the Odionwere and after some months, he lied to the Oba when he was summoned.
Eghonmwanre lied that Ogiza Village has no case pending in court when the Oba inquired if there was any, Alohan alleged.
“Whereas; there was a case in court with Suit No. B/831/2023 Mr. Lawrence Alohan -v- Mr. Otenghabun Eghonmwanre, pending in High Court 10; formerly Court 7 Benin City.
“Also, the three persons he presented at the Palace on the 7th day of November, 2024 as the second, third and forth edion (elders) namely; Mr. John Ogborue is a native of Igbogor Village in Ovia-South-West, Mr. Omono is from Ovbiogie also in Ovia-South-West Local Government Council Area, while Otaokhuo is an Urhobo man from Delta State.
Further, the alleged self acclaimed Odionwere is not an indigene of Ogiza community, hence he cannot even be; Alohan said.
Adding that he (Eghonmwanre) affirmed it when the people of Ogiza in July 2024 summoned him before one of the shrines in Benin City (Aruosun-Oba).
But he refused to swear before the deity of the shrine and admitted that he is not from Ogiza, but Ebue community.
According to Mr. Alohan, the substantive Odionwere of Ogiza community, Mr. Baron Enabulele passed on nine years ago as he appealed that the Palace should stop Mr. Otenghabun Eghonmwanre from parading himself as the Odionwere.
While pledging his loyalty to the Oba whom he described as a father to all, Alohan also appealed that the Palace should look into the issue of Odionwere in Ogiza.
Also speaking, Mr. Johnson Omoruyi and Moses Odighibo, indigenes of Ogiza Village corroborated the Alohan’s narrative.
They lament, that the people of the community do not have land for farming anymore as the self acclaimed Odionwere, Mr. Eghonmwanre has sold all the land including the community school and market space to one Realtor.
This is even as there was a subsisting case already in court about the same issue; and the court told that the natural boundary between Ogiza and Ugogogin is the river from time immemorial.
Reaffirming that Ogiza Village does not have an Odionwere for now; they appealed to the Oba to help look into the issue before it escalates to unpleasant tales.
Also; for the Oba to prevail on Mr. Otenghabun Eghonmwanre to stop parading himself as the Odionwere of Ogiza community.
As they pledge their unalloyed loyalty to the Oba whom they described as a father to all.
Meanwhile when contacted on the alleged allegation, Mr Otenghabun Eghonmwanre said he has nothing to say that the issue was already in court and cut the line
