Court gavel
Benin Customary Court in Okada, Edo State, has declared the position of Odionwere (head of village) of Ikpako village vacant due to allegations of sacrilege and corruption against the incumbent, Mr. James Ailegboze.
The court’s ruling followed a suit instituted by the elders of Ikpako village, who sought a declaration that the position of Odionwere be declared vacant.
The claimants alleged that Ailegboze had misappropriated over ₦71 million of village funds and had been unanimously passed a vote of no confidence by the village elders and indigenes.
In a judgment delivered by the court’s three-member panel, presided over by Mr. B.E. Imohimi, the court granted two out of the three reliefs sought by the claimants.
The court held that the indefinite suspension of Ailegboze through a vote of no confidence and the laying flat of the Ukhure (traditional staff of office) at the Oguedion amounted to a declaration of vacancy in the Odionwere position.
The court ruled that: The position of Odionwere of Ikpako village is hereby declared vacant.
The first to third defendants must account for ₦7.45 million of village funds remaining unaccounted for.
Dubri Oil Company must henceforth remit all funds in the name of Ikpako/Ekenwan community to First Bank account number 2027881248.
The court invoked Benin customary law principles, stating that tradition abhors a vacuum and that the oldest indigene of the community automatically succeeds as Odionwere after fulfilling all required traditional rites.
