THE Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom in Owan West Local Council, HRH Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, the Okpamen IX, has stripped the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, of the honourary chieftaincy title of Uzoyare of Ozalla Kingdom over alleged misconduct and disrespect to the monarch.
The commissioner was alleged to have asked the traditional ruler to meet her in the car when she drove into the palace on April 12, this year.
A press statement signed by the palace spokesman, Dr. Osumah Obaze, in Benin on Thursday, April 18, said the Onotare ordered the immediate revocation of Oduwa-Malaka’s title to deter others who might want to desecrate the throne.
The statement also said that another title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, given to Mr. George Ohioma, has also been revoked and is now the exclusive preserve of ‘Ozalla freeborns.’
According to the statement: “Her legion of offences, among others, includes openly insulting the Onotare and for not paying obeisance to the Onotare on the 13th of April, 2024, during Ivbamen festival in the presence of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, and Chairman, Owan West Local Government, Dickson Ahonsi, and for openly boasting to remove the traditional ruler from office.
“In the same vein, the Onotare of Ozalla also revoked the honourary chieftaincy title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, conferred on George Ohioma, alias Armani, for openly insulting and physically assaulting the Onotare and Secretary to the Onotare, Ehichioya Ujuanbi, in the presence of Agbebaku and Ahonsi at the Onotare’s Palace.
“The title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom, is now the exclusive reserve of the freeborn of Ozalla Kingdom.
“The Onotare has banned/ostracised Oduwa-Malaka and Ohioma from the palace with immediate effect. This is for the information of the general public.”
