Youths and other residents of Okhuoromi Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo have protested what they called the planned reinstatement of Ovhokhan, the former Ohen of the community who was dismissed from office by the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II earlier in the year.
The youths who were led by Felix Edokpayi in a protest to the premises of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), noted that Ohen Ovhokhan’s rain at Okhuoromi was characterised by terror, widespread land grabbing, multiple sales of land, harassment of innocent citizens, intimidation of community members and unlawful demolition of private properties.
According to the protest letter addressed to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and signed by Felix Edokpayi, Luis Igbinoba and Odigie Daniel Osayande, the group enumerated the atrocities of Ohen Ovhokhan which led to his removal by Oba Ewuare II.
“We, the concerned indigenes and residents of the Okhuoromi Community in Oredo Local Government Area, write this letter with the utmost respect for your office and your administration’s commitment to security, justice, and the rule of law in Edo State.
“We have been alerted to discussions regarding a possible reinstatement of the former Ohen of Okhuoromi. We wish to state unequivocally that such a move would be a direct threat to the peace and stability of our community, and we are unified in our absolute opposition to his return to office.
“The individual in question presided over a period of unprecedented lawlessness, and his actions constitute serious criminal offences that violate the laws of Edo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Allowing his return would undermine your government’s efforts to maintain security and would signal an endorsement of criminal conduct.”
While appealing to Governor Okpebholo and Oba Ewuare II to halt the planned reinstatement Ohen Ovhokhan as the Ohen of Okhuoromi, the youths noted that such an action will threaten the peace that now rein in the community.
“Your Excellency, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, the responsibility for maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of lives and properties rests with you. The reinstatement of an individual with such a documented history of criminality and the capacity to incite violence would immediately plunge Okhuoromi Community back into crisis.
“We humbly and urgently request that Your Excellency intervenes by issuing a clear Executive Directive against the reinstatement of the former Ohen, citing the severe threats he poses to public peace and the security of lives and property in Okhuoromi.
“Directing the relevant State Security Agencies (The Commissioner of Police and the Attorney-General of the State) to ensure that all documented criminal allegations of land fraud, unlawful demolition, and harassment against the former Ohen are thoroughly investigated and that he is brought to justice under the laws of Edo State.
“We trust in your leadership to uphold justice and protect the law-abiding citizens of Okhuoromi Community from the hands of those who seek to exploit traditional office for criminal gain.”