Osarobo Ogiamien Is The Recognized Palace Chief Not Arisco Osemwingie, Benin Chiefs, Enigies Affirm

After weeks of disquiet in Benin City over a certain Rich Arisco Osemwingie who had been laying claim to the Ogiamien’s Chieftaincy title, members of Benin Chiefs and Enigies have affirmed that Chief Osarobo Ogiamien is the right man recognized by the palace.

They added that the said Rich Arisco Osemwingie is not the Ogiamien of Benin Kingdom and has no Locus Standi to lay claim or be addressed as such.

At a press briefing held on Thursday in Benin City, and attended by several Chiefs and Enigies cut across the seven Local Government Areas under the revered Benin Monarch, said the recent withdrawal from the criminal case against Arisco by the state government prompted their move.

Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin and head of the Benin Traditional Council, BTC, who addressed journalists on behalf of Benin Chiefs, lamented that the state government had taken the withdrawal action in isolation without proper consultation with the palace.

Igbe reiterated that the action of Rich Arisco Osemwingie and one other, negate the Benin customs and traditions, declaring both of them as enemies of the Palace and Benin people.

Chief Igbe, in the statement, demanded unreserved apologies from Arisco to the Benin people using at least three national newspapers while pledging his unemployed loyalty to the indivisible Benin throne within a reasonable time.

Recall that, the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in a press statement published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, withdrew the criminal case instituted against Rich Arisco Osemwengie in 2015.

The development, however, arose perceptible tensions among Benins both at home and in the diaspora living many to seat at the edge.

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But in what looks like a new twist to the earlier development, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice re-emphasized the position of the state government, noting that the paramount traditional ruler in the seven Local Government Areas of Edo State is the revered monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare second, the Oba of Benin.

This, however, brings to end insinuations suggesting any form of division in Benin Kingdom.

In the meantime, the Benin Chiefs have reminded the state governor to fulfill his promises in his 2019 budget regarding the construction of the Benin Royal Museum, urging him to live up to expectations.

The Chiefs also expressed gratitude to President Muhammdu Buhari for his commitment to the repatriation of the Benin Artifacts domiciled across foreign countries.

Fourteen Royal Chiefs cut across Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Ovia North East, and South West, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode LGAs appended their signatures in the statement delivered by Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin.