Benin Traditional Council sets conditions for peace with Edo govt
Amid the ongoing tension between the Edo State Government and the Benin traditional institution, the Benin Traditional Council has issued a public statement outlining its position and conditions for an amicable resolution.
The dispute has deep roots, beginning with the contentious issue of ownership over ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by British colonial forces.
In April 2023, PUNCH Online reported that the FG issued a gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
This was done to end the dispute between the monarch and the state government over the rightful custodian of the artefacts.
This was done through a Government Notice No. 25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110, dated March 28, 2023.
But the issue over ownership lingers.
BTC, in a Wednesday statement titled “Re: Plan for amicable resolution of conflicts between Edo State Government and the Benin Traditional Institution,” made available to the PUNCH Online through its lawyers, Prof Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, and Prof Edoba Omoregie, SAN, stated that the Federal Government had settled the artefact ownership matter in favour of the Palace.
It said that, however, tensions escalated when some local leaders, known as Enigie, proposed creating new traditional councils in Edo South in a letter to the state government dated November 20, 2022, a move that the BTC strongly opposed.
BTC, through the Iyase of Benin and other representatives of the Oba Palace, made numerous efforts to dissuade the state government from this plan, arguing that it would fragment the Benin Kingdom and undermine the authority of the Oba of Benin.
According to the senior lawyers, despite these efforts, the state government proceeded to establish new traditional councils across the seven local government areas in Edo South, prompting the BTC to challenge the decision in the State High Court.
The state government also withheld the statutory financial entitlements due to the Benin Traditional Council.
The lead counsel, Akinseye-George, stated that the conflict took another turn when the state governor welcomed some Enigie, including those suspended for violating traditional norms, and intervened in legal proceedings against them.
He said that the state government further announced to the National Assembly that the creation of the new traditional councils was final. At the same time, two Enigies filed a joint lawsuit to contest their suspensions.
“Amid these tensions, the Edo State Government issued a notice to revoke the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which had been repurposed as a motor park since 2016, causing further frustration for the BTC,” the statement added.
The BTC emphasised that the Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of their customs and traditions.
It rejected the state government’s characterisation of the dispute as a mere family affair within the Benin Royal Family.
The BTC expressed openness to resolving the conflict amicably but laid out clear conditions for this to happen: “Abolition of the new traditional councils in Edo South, restoration of the BTC’s statutory financial entitlements to the status quo before the creation of the new councils, including the refund of withheld funds.
“A commitment from the state government to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Institution, respecting the Benin Customary Law and the Oba’s disciplinary authority.
“Withdrawal of the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre and its restoration to a suitable condition for its original purpose.”
Akinseye-George emphasised, “The conflicts between the BTC and the Edo State Government began with the bitter dispute over ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the Palace of the Oba of Benin during the Benin Massacre of 1897.
“The BTC believes that a genuine resolution can only be achieved through the abolition of the new traditional councils in Edo South and the restoration of the statutory financial entitlement of the BTC to the status quo prior to the creation of those councils.”
The lawyer also stressed the importance of non-interference in traditional matters. “Any matter that affects the customs and traditions of the Benin people, of which His Royal Majesty is the exclusive custodian, cannot be reduced to a family affair of the Benin Royal Family.”
