Edo State Government has slammed a one-year suspension on the Ojuromi of Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Highness, Zaiki Edenojie II. This follows his refusal to apologise “within the stipulated period” over alleged assault of one Ms. Betty Okoebor.
In line with Section 28(1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, It also stripped him of “all the privileges and rights of the Ojuromi of Uromi. They shall be appropriated and donated to orphanages” during the period.
A statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Peter Okhiria, in a letter dated November 4, 2016, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere said the monarch’s suspension shall take effect from Monday.
It would be recalled that the Onojie was earlier suspended for seven days by the government, through the state executive council, for the failure to respond to a query and travelling outside the country without permission.
He had however been directed to ?apologise to the state government and the woman within the seven-day period or risk being dethroned.
The state government accused the Onojie of allegedly leaving his palace during the governorship election, moving from one polling booth to another, campaigning and trying to coerce voters to vote for his preferred party and candidate.
The traditional ruler was alleged to have assaulted the woman when she refused to yield to his “threats,”.? The matter was later reported at the Uromi police station. Police have since commenced investigation into the case which is seen as a criminal act.