Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has approved the stoppage of payment of stipend to the Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom, Etsako West Local government Area of Edo State, Alhaji Kelvin Danesi, (Oba Danesi II).
This is coming after the judgement of the Supreme court nullifying the appointment of the monarch.
The government made the announcement in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo which reads in part: “… you are hereby directed to stop the stipend being paid to Alhaji Kelvin Danesi as the Clan Head of South Ibie forthwith and the money should be kept in a separate acccount…”
A High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State had in 2018 ordered Alhaji Kelvin, an applicant and occupant of the Aidonogie (clan headship) stool in South Ibie, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State to vacate the stool and declared his emergence and continued stay as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Justice A. Ehigiamuso, in his judgement delivered of July 24, 2018, upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, which had ruled that the appointment of Danesi is null and void.
The tussle over the Aidonogie had started in 1997 between the Danesi Branch of the Okhokho Ruling House of Iyakpi South Ibie and Ruling House of Oghiator.
According to the counsel to the respondent in the case, the Oghiator Ruling House, Roland Otaru, SAN, court proceedings were initially instituted on two consolidated cases in 1998 before a Benin High Court on the tussle to decide which of the ruling houses should produce the Aidonogie.
The court, subsequently, ruled in favour of the Oghiator Ruling House while Danesi, the defendant, appealed to the Court of Appeal. Judgement was delivered by the court on April 7, 2003.
Read the full statement below:
I love this, God will bless the executive governor of our dear state for taking a proactive step about this injustice that have been revenging that community for the past two decades and four year’s, many people have lost their love ones, while some became homeless as result of conflict that arose from the two families in the past in this issue, I will be delighted if the executive Governor put an end to this once and for all so that the people of south ibie will have peace by allowing rule of law to prevail in a very short distance of time.
I must appreciate the Governor because is a man of truth, justice, and a man of wisdom. God bless you your excellency, and we are still expecting more from.