The Traditional chiefs, otherwise known as the Enigie in Edo South Senatorial District have dragged Edo State government to a Benin High court in Edo State.
The Enigies who have committed their unalloyed loyalty to Oba of Benin Kingdom are challenging the decision of the Edo State Executive Council led by the Governor of the State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to create traditional councils in each of the seven Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District.
The affected Local Government Areas are: Oredo Local Government Area, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Egor Local Government Area, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Orhionmwon Local Government Area and Ikpoba – Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
In Suit No: B/187/2023 made exclusively available to Truth Live News, filed at the High Court of Justice, Edo State, the Enigie acting as representatives of the Benin Traditional Council asserts that the decision of the Governor-in- council violates the age long tradition of the Benin people which stipulates that the Oba of Benin is the sole traditional ruler of the entire Benin Kingdom which is the territory of Edo South Senatorial District and the said seven Local Government Areas.
Consequently, they contend that the attempt by the government to create traditional councils in the areas amounts to Balkanizing the Benin Kingdom, as there can be no other traditional ruler in the Kingdom to warrant creation of traditional councils in the affected Local Government Areas.
They therefore pray the High Court of Edo State to declare the action of the State Government as in conflict with the Benin Customary Law and the extant Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979 applicable in Edo State, which clearly affirms the sole traditional rulership of the Oba of Benin in the Benin Kingdom, as well as the sole competence of the Benin Traditional Council in the entire Seven Local Government Areas of Edo South.
Hearing in the Motion on Notice filed in the Suit to restrain the Governor of Edo state, among other Defendants, is fixed for Tuesday, the 5th of September, 2023