…Say Arisco Osemwingie is an impostor who must apologize for pardon
By Eben Enasco
Following weeks of disquiet in Benin City over a certain Rich Arisco Osemwingie who lay claim to the Ogiamien’s Chieftaincy title, Benin Chiefs and Enigie have clarified that Chief Osarobo Ogiamien is the rightful man recognized by the Palace.
They said that the said Rich Arisco Osemwingie is not the Ogiamien of Benin Kingdom and has no right to lay claim to the chieftaincy title or be addressed as such.
At a press briefing in Benin City, the Chiefs and Enigie said that the clarification became necessary following the recent withdrawal from the criminal case against Arisco by the state government.
The briefing session had in attendance, several Chiefs and Enigie cut across the Seven Local Government Areas in Benin Kingdom
Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin who addressed journalists on behalf of the Benin Chiefs and Enigie, lamented that the state government had taken the withdrawal action in isolation without proper consultation with the Palace.
Igbe reiterated that the action of Arisco and one other, negate the Benin Customs and Traditions, declaring both of them as enemies of the Palace and Benin people.
Chief Igbe therefore demanded unreserved apology from Arisco to the Benin people using at least three national newspapers, while pledging his unalloyed loyalty to the throne of the Oba of Benin within a reasonable time.
Recall that, the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in a press statement published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, withdrew the Criminal case instituted against Rich Arisco Osemwengie in 2015.
The development, however, arose perceptible tensions among Benin’s both at home and in the diaspora living many to seat at the edge.
But in what look like a new twist to the earlier development, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice re-emphasized the position of the state government, noting that the paramount traditional ruler in the Seven local government areas of Edo State is the revered Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
This, however, brings to end insinuations suggesting any form of division in the Benin Kingdom.
In the meantime, the Benin Chiefs have reminded the state Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki to fulfill his promise in the state 2019 budget regarding the construction of the Benin Royal Museum.
The Chiefs also expressed gratitude to President Muhammdu Buhari for his commitment to the repatriation of the Benin Artifacts domiciled across foreign countries.
Fourteen Palace Chiefs cut across Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Ovia North East, and South West, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode LGAs appended their signatures in the statement delivered by Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin.
