Eben Enasco
Kelvin Ovbokhan Igbinovia, the embattled Ohen of Okhoromi Community in Oredo Local Government Area, is in an uproar, where he has been alleged of committing multiple offenses including sexual harassment, land grabbing, cultism, and demolition of buildings belonging to residence of the Community.
They also said since he assumed the position of the chief priest of the community, peace has eluded them, accusing him of reselling property approved for community members and sold by him long before now to buyers and other residences.
Some of the placards flaunted by the community read: “Ohen you are not above the law”, “Ohen of okhoromi has rendered us homeless”, “Ohen of Okhoromi not Bigger than the Oba of Benin”, Ohen of Okhoromi stop initiating our Boys into cultism.”
The community’s pleas for help have reached the desk of Governor Monday Okpebholo, who has vowed to take action during a peaceful protest to the Governor’s office on Tuesday by alleged victims of his onslaught.
The community alleges that the Ohen of Okhoromi has been involved in cases of initiating young people into cultism, sexually harassing women, Land grabbing and demolition of buildings, thereby, causing fear and distress among residents.
Appealing to the governor, leader of the protesters, Victor Aigbe Edosomwan said they were at the government house for a rescue mission.
He also accused the Ohen of Okhoromi of deliberately coercing married mothers for sexual gains, and frequently demolishing buildings, leading to loss of property and livelihoods.
He highlighted how owners of shops and offices, have been locked out for weeks and can no longer access their shops.
Responding to their plights, Governor Monday Okpebholo promised to intervene.
He assured the protesters of his plans to invite the embattled Ohen to the government house to hear his own sides of the allegations.
His pledges, however, drew wide jubilations among the victims.
Also speaking, the Odionwere of the Community, Elder John Edosomwan, expressed his disdains against the Ohen, distancing himself from all actions undertaken by the ohen, describing it as an abomination.
The leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly also received the agitators and vowed to look into the issues presented by them.
The Speaker, RT. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, represented by Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, the Minority Leader, urged them to reduce their complaints to a documented petition where it would be forwarded to a committee on public complaints that will make recommendations. He urged them to continue to be law abiding and wait for justice to be served where necessary.
Also at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare ll, CFR, where they were received by top palace chiefs, the protesters accused the Ohen of high headedness, misrepresenting the stool and allegedly aided by some top palace functionaries.
However, at the “Man Around Town” program of the independent Television & Radio, ITV, morning show, Chief Kelvin Ovbokhan Igbinovia denied the allegations.
Kelvin Ovbokhan Orue Igbinovia, the embattled Ohen of Okhoromi has been alleged by the community to be facing over 40 petitions each cuttingh across the State Police Command and the AIG Zone 5 Police Command wondering why some of these petitions have not been addressed.
As the community demands justice for the alleged victims and relief from the suffering allegedly caused by the Ohen’s actions, their plea for safety and security must be addressed by the authority, and those responsible for the alleged atrocities must be held accountable.
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