Lucky Obukohwo ReportingÂ
Barely 48 hours to what would have been pomp and pageantry ceremony at Egbaen Community in suburban Benin City, an Edo State High Court, Benin, Friday, February 10 restrained retired Capt. Uwadiae Ohonbamunmwen from presenting himself for installation as the Odionwere (oldest man) of the small town.
Justice Daniel Okungbowa restrained Capt. Ohonbamunmwen, recently appointed by His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare 11, from being installed into the exalted office on Sunday February 12, further to the application for an interim order of injunction filed by Dr. John Osa-Uyi Odiase in a suit in which the retired military officer is the defendant.
In a motion exparte filed by former Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, counsel to Dr.John Osa-Uyi Odiase, the appellant informed the court that Capt. Ohonbamunmwen, is his junior and that both of them belong to Odiase Ogbebor Family of the small town of Egbaen.
In suit, Dr. Odiase insisted that he has been the undisputed Okaegbe (head) of the Family for the past 11 years and that the defendant misrepresented himself as the most senior elder in Egbaen community, entitled to be installed as the Odionwere.
He lamented that he has been denied of his rights on account of vindictiveness on the part of the Enogie of the Community for the past five years.
He alleged that his kinsman is fully aware that arrangements are being made to have him (Dr. Odiase) installed as the rightful person for the position of the Odionwere of the community as the oldest man in Egbaen.
Still in his affidavit of urgency, Dr. Odiase prayed the court to restrain the defendant who has concluded plans for his own installation on Sunday, 12th February, 2023 as it’s only the injunction that will save him the serious, psychological distress and emotional trauma that would befall him, if his junior cousin is elevated to a position that he insisted is rightfully his.
While granting the prayers of the applicant, the trial judge found merit in the application and held that the status quo be maintained, and specifically directed Capt. Ohonbamunmwen not to present himself for installation and/or exercise the function of that office, pending the determination of of the Motion on Notice which he fixed for Monday 20th February, 2023.