Before Oba Ewuare II ascended the throne of his fore fathers in Benin Kingdom on October 20, 2016, the people were faced with different challenges that hindered the rate of development in the various Villages, Towns or Local Government Areas. Some of these challenges include difficulties in acquiring and developing land, extortion and intimidation of developers by members of the outlawed Community Development Association CDA, Leadership tussles, family disputes, especially issue of inheritance, boundary disputes among Villages or communities. With regard to boundary dispute, the one between Iguomon and Ikhuen-oboh, Egbirhe and Okhoromi are cases in point where several efforts to settle the matter did not yield result. Furthermore, some Enigie, Edionwere and Ohen were either suspended or relegated to the background by the CDA members in the community or Villages where they are supposed to be the head. This was the case in Egba Village on Benin-Abraka road in Ikpoa-Okha local government area, Uteh Ekoko along upper mission extension and Azagba Village on Benin by-pass in Uhunmwode local government area.
Since Oba Ewuare II ascended the throne a year ago, different innovations and initiatives have been introduced into Benin Kingdom, aimed at bringing sanity to the kingdom and ensuring peaceful co-existence among the people. One of the steps taken so far by the Benin Monarch was to commence open mediation at Ugha-Ozolua and Ogua-emanton in the Oba Palace to give opportunity for people, especially women whom culture and tradition places certain restriction on to present their complaint for adjudication. The open mediation is usually presided over by His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II himself, with array of Palace chiefs in attendance. People usually take their turn every Tuesday and Thursday to present their complaints. The beauty of it all is that during the open mediation no complaint is presented in proxy, which means that both the complainant and the accused must be physically present before a matter is entertained.
Since the commencement of the open mediation, over 80 different cases have been presided over, while about 69 of the cases have been finally decided. It has been joy, happiness and jubilation for those who have secured justice from the Palace of the Oba of Benin, some of whom are even non indigenes. This goes to show the transparency, detribalized, impartial and fair nature of the open mediation.
Those who have obtained justice include Mrs Ann Aghayere whose land was forcefully taken from her by the Odionwere and the Ohen in Amagba, Mrs Philo Akhere who was prevented from developing her land in Idunmwungha by youths loyal to the Odionwere. Others are the Enogie of Egba H.R.H Palmer Omoregie Uzama who was suspended by the chairman of the outlawed CDA, The confirmation of Enogie of Uteh-Ekoko H.R.H Ogieayevbona Igbinenikao whose leadership of the Village was been contested as the traditional ruler of the Village as well as the Ohen of Azagba, High Priest Nosakhare Ogieriakhi who was confirmed as the traditional head of Azagba Village as well as the confirmation of Ohen Okun N’Ovun as the head of Iguelaba village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. How about the celebrated case of Mrs Angela Omoruyi whose husband’s family members( Okunmafi family) were oppressing, along with her children after the death of her husband. The Oba of Benin did not only save the woman and her children from the shackles of the Okunmafi family members, but also offered scholarship to the first son of the deceased, Master Efosa Divine Omoruyi. These landmark judgments by the Palace have no doubt restored hope to the seemingly despondent people and it has brought peace as well as lay to rest the crisis or agitations that have persisted in those Villages and communities in the past.
On Thursday 12th October, 2017, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II inaugurated the Benin Customary Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee BCADRC. This became necessary in order to address the frustration that the people were going through to obtain justice from the palace panel system which Oba Ewuare II set aside upon ascending the throne. Again, it is to bring justice, equity, sense of belonging, tolerance, transparency and accountability to palace administration. The committee is made up of men with proven integrity, including erudite jurists like retired Justices Samson Uwaifo, Samuel Elaiho, Joseph Olubor. Other members of the BCADRC are Prof. G.I. Akenzua, Chief Edionwe Oliha, the Oliha of Benin, Mr. Daniel Inneh, Chief Abel Ehigie, the Olaye of Benin and Surveyor James Osazuwa. They will arbitrate and mediate on disputes brought to the palace for attention of the committee, while a window still exist for requests to be made before His Royal Majesty to re-evaluate the merit of such cases.
At this point the Oba of Benin must be commended for coming like a messiah to rescue the people from the shackles and stronghold of the shylock land speculators and CDA members. The ease and speed with which cases are decided also deserve commendation. This has further proved the saying that when the righteous are on the throne, the people usually rejoice. That is exactly what has been happening to the people living in Benin Kingdom since Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan ascended the throne. The people’s joy and happiness knew no bound each time they get justice on matters brought before His Royal Majesty.
However, the question on the lips of people out there is, what punishment awaits anyone who might go against the judgment delivered by the Palace on any matter? This is pertinent because some of the cases being brought before the Palace under the reigning Oba Ewuare II have been settled during the reign of Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory. Such unrepentant and recalcitrant people must be handled with the seriousness they deserve, in order to keep the open mediation alive, relevant and effective
Oba Ewuare II has received commendations from people from all walks of life for this laudable initiative, and for his efforts at restoring the lost glories of Benin Kingdom. That explains why everyone should key into the vision and mission of the Oba of Benin to ensure the full realization.
