Five traditional chiefs from Benin have been suspended from their positions following what the palace has labeled as sacrilegious behavior against Benin customs.
The suspension was announced by the Benin Traditional Council in a statement signed by Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the affected chiefs visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where they falsely claimed to represent the Oba of Benin and provided inaccurate information about the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
A viral video captured representatives from the Benin Kingdom paying a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, affirming that Ile-Ife is the ancestral home of the Benin people.
However, the Benin Traditional Council has disassociated itself from these representatives, describing them as “self-serving traditional functionaries” from Benin.
The statement identified the individuals involved as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka), and two other Ogbelaka functionaries named Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo.
The council deemed the conduct of these representatives as sacrilegious and advised the public to avoid them, stating that they are suspended from their roles as Benin traditional functionaries.
The general public has been urged to refrain from engaging with them during their suspension period.
