The aggrieved Enigies (Dukes) of Benin Kingdom who instituted a court case against the Oba Ewuare II of Benin Kingdom on Tuesday said they were not averse to peaceful resolution of the crises.
The Enigies, however, said the resolution of the issue must be based on justice, noting that it was the reason they went to court to challenge the alleged injustice being meted to them.
The Oba’s uncle, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, is one of the suspended Enigies (Duke) who took the Oba to court challenging their suspension as enigie in the Benin kingdom.
Akenzua and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen and other Dukes had approached the court to quash their suspension by the Oba Ewuare II, saying that only the state government has the power to suspend them.
On May 27, the Benin Royal Family announced the suspension of embattled Professor Gregeory Akenzua. When contacted over his suspension, Akenzua said he was yet to get details of the suspension and members of the Benin Royal Family who suspended him, promising to address the press at the appropriate time on the matter.
However, at a press conference in Benin, Akenzua, who spoke on behalf of other Association of Enigie in Edo South Senatorial district which had 48 other members in attendance, said that there was no other traditional process that they know that they have not gone through to resolve the matter.
The enigies also denied allegations that they were being sponsored by the government and its agents even as they chronicled events that led to the crisis between them and the palace.
They also said that some members of the royal family and the lawyers to the Oba who recently issued statements condemning the planned peace moves initiated by Governor Godwin Obaseki were wrong in their positions.
Akenzua said, “There is no other traditional process that we know that we have not gone through. We are in court to establish protection of our fundamental human rights and I want to also clarify the erroneous impression that has been created in the media that we are being used by some other people to challenge the palace.
“The case that we instituted for our own protection is against His Royal Majesty and the government because the government is also expected to protect our fundamental human rights.
“We welcome the initiative of those who propose an amicable settlement of the dispute, and regret that comments by some palace chiefs, members of the royal family and the Oba’s lawyers, do not only augur well for the prospect of peace but go against the legacy of Oba Adolo of blessed memory who was a champion of conciliation.
“We affirm that we stand for peace founded on decorum, integrity and justice. We are upholders of the tradition of our ancestors, and all we wish to do is to continue to serve our people in humility.”
He also said that the suit instituted by himself and Edonmwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen was to uphold their right to a fair hearing “which we believe every citizen is entitled to.
“On this, we do not think it is honourable or dignifying for those who claim to be supporters of the Oba to disrupt the sitting of the court each time the case comes up.”