TELL Magazine

For allegedly showing disrespect to her royal father, the Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, Okpamen the IX, Edo State commissioner for culture and tourism, Mrs. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, has been stripped of her chieftaincy title as the Uzoyare of Ozalla Kingdom. Oduwa-Malaka incurred the wrath of the Onotare when on Friday April 12, 2024, she reportedly asked the monarch to meet her at the car park when she drove into the palace.

Also similarly sanctioned was George Ohioma, aka Armani, a lawyer whose honorary chieftaincy title of Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom was revoked for allegedly openly insulting and physically assaulting the Onotare and his Secretary, Ehichioya Ujuanbi. The duo has also been banned from the palace.

A terse press statement signed by the Palace spokesman, Dr. Osumah Obaze, and made available to journalists in Benin City on Monday, said the Onotare ordered the immediate revocation of the commissioner’s title so as to serve as deterrent to others with the intention of desecrating the respected throne.

According to the statement, “Her legion of offences, among others, includes openly insulting the Onotare, and for not paying obeisance to the Onotare of Ozalla on the 13th of April 2024, during Ivbamen festival in the presence of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and Chairman, Owan West Local Government, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi, and for openly boasting to remove the traditional ruler from office.

“In the same vein, the Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highness, Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, also revoked the honorary chieftaincy title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom conferred on Barr. George Ohioma, aka Armani, for openly insulting, and physically assaulting the Onotare of Ozalla and Secretary to the Onotare, Mr. Ehichioya Ujuanbi in the presence of the Speaker to Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Council, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi at the Onotare’s Palace.

“The title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, is now the exclusive preserve of freeborn of Ozalla Kingdom, not strangers like Barr George Ohioma. The Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highness, Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, has banned/ostracised Mrs. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and Barr. George Ohioma from the palace with immediate effect. This is for the information of the general public”.

The statement emphasised that “The title of Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom is neither hereditary nor conferred on anyone”, stressing that “Though gazetted by the State Government, it is attained through gerontocracy process”.