Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II
Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Ewuare II, has suspended the traditional priest of Unuamen Village, Chief Sunday Enoma, over what the palace described as a serious breach of Benin customs and traditions.
The decision was announced in a statement released on Saturday by the Oba’s Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to the palace, Chief Enoma has been relieved of his role as the Ohen-Ovia of Unuamen following findings that he acted contrary to established cultural norms.
In the same breath, Oba Ewuare II reaffirmed Chief Kingsley Igbinosa as the legitimate Okao—the traditional head—of Unuamen Village.
The monarch dismissed claims by the suspended priest that he had the authority to install an Okao, describing the assertion as “baseless, unfounded, and abominable.”
The Oba reiterated that “all chieftaincy titles in the Benin Kingdom are conferred solely by him, the Oba,” underscoring the centrality of the throne in maintaining cultural order and safeguarding ancestral traditions.
The suspension is expected to restore clarity to leadership structures in Unuamen and reinforce the palace’s stance on preserving the sanctity of Benin customs.
