Son of the Oba of Benin, and the caretaker chairman of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Prince Ekpen Erediauwa, was allegedly beaten up at the weekend by the chairman of the Edo State Task Force on Petroleum Monitoring Committee, Osakpanwan Eriyo, following a disagreement over sharing formula for revenue collected in the local government.photos: Royal chiefs allegedly cursing out the perpetrator .Prince Ekpen in uniform.The Prince a lover of animals on stroll .
BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
IRKED by the assault meted out on his son, Prince Ekpen Erediauwa, by the Chairman of the Edo State Task Force Committee on the Vandalization of Pipeline and also the youth leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Edo State, Mr Osakpanwa Eriyo, the Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, yesterday, placed a curse on the alleged culprit after describing the action as a taboo in Benin Kingdom.
PROTEST: Chiefs and elders of Benin placing curses on the Chairman of the Taskforce Committee on the Vandalisation of Pipelines, over his alleged assault on the Oba of Benin's son, at the Oba's Palace, in Benin City, yesterday. Photo by Barnabas Uzosike.
This came as thousands of youths, dressed in red attire, market women and royal family members, protested round Benin City, yesterday, demanding for the banishment of Eriyo from the kingdom, explaining that assaulting a Prince of the kingdom was sacrilegious, and capital punishment should be meted on him.
Meanwhile, the Edo State government, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Peter Okhiria, yesterday, announced the suspension of Mr Eriyo as Chairman of the Anti-Pipeline Vandalization Committee, adding “all contracts in respect of revenue collection in Oredo Local Government Area are also hereby suspended.”
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It will be recalled that Eriyo, who also doubles as the Chairman Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Edo State chapter, had weekend, assaulted the Transition Committee Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area of the state, Prince Erediauwa during a meeting of the leadership of the ACN in Oredo council. But Osakpanwa had denied that he assaulted the Prince in a statement.
Reacting swiftly, the Oba’s chiefs, led by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe; the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri; Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Eduwor Ekhator and the entire palace chiefs, went round the city, with pots of charms and placed curse on Osakpanwa after he was declared an enemy of the Oba.
In a statement by the Chairman, Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Oba’s Palace, Chief Eduwor Ekhator, it said “no one can demystify the monarchical value of the Benin Royal Palace of the Oba. Attempt by any person or persons to destroy the long existing peace and unity of the Benin will be checked with rebuked condemnation.
“The attempt on the Benin Prince was a demonstration of recklessness and lack of respect for a constituted authority. It is highly provocative, sacrilegious and unacceptable and thereby deserves total condemnation by every Edo son and daughter both at home and in the Diaspora. However, the palace of the Oba advises all sympathizers to obey the rule of law,” it added.
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Two persons were killed yesterday as the rift between the son of the Benin monarch, Prince Ekpen Erediauwa and suspended chairman of Edo State Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalisation Osakpamwan Eriyo worsened.
Two casualties were recorded in a clash between the prince’s and Eriyo’s supporters.
The clash, which occurred about 9am on the popular Lagos Street in Benin City, saw motorists and traders scampering for safety when shootings started.
Several vehicles were destroyed; traders did not open their shops out of fear.
The victims were identified as Raphael Oke, who died on the spot and Osamuyi Obazee, who died at the Central Hospital where he was taken to.
Two others, who were injured, are said to be in the hospital.
Sources said trouble started when Eriyo, who doubles as the State Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and State Youth Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, visited his in-law, Chief Arala Osula, to complain that Osula’s children had joined Erediauwa to fight him.
Osula said before he could come out of his house, Eriyo’s supporters had started shooting sporadically and three boys in the locality were shot.
His words: “I know there is a quarrel between Osakpamwan and the Prince. He knew my children were close to Erediauwa so he decided to bring them into the feud.
“I am married to his elder sister and one of my sons is staying with him.”
Osula refused to allow policemen to carry Oke’s body to the mortuary, insisting that he will take it to the Oba‘s Palace but he agreed after pleadings from the police officers.
Members of RTEAN went into hiding yesterday for fear of being attacked by aggrieved youths from the area.
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday suspended Eriyo.
A statement by the Secretary, Chief Osaro Idah said Eriyo would remain suspended, pending the outcome of ongoing investigation.
Youths in the locality protested, asking for the government to arrest Eriyo.
Police spokesman Peter Ogboi said only one person died and that two others were injured.
Ogboi said those fingered would be arrested after investigation.
Eriyo could not be reached for comments.
The feud started last weekend after Eriyo allegedly beat up Erediauwa, who is the Transition Committee Chairman of Oredo local council, over revenue contract.
