The Egbema traditional Council of Chiefs has called on one Henry Binidodougha to stop falsely parading himself as HRH, the Ojuaga 1 of Egbema Kingdom in Edo State.
In a press statement containing resolutions reached at an extra ordinary general Assembly of all sons and daughters of Egbema kingdom, both at home and in Diaspora, held at Ofunama town, Egbema kingdom of Edo and Delta States, on Friday, January 8, 2021, the Egbema Traditional Council of Chiefs condemned in strong terms the activities of Mr Henry Binidodougha.
In a press statement containing resolutions reached at the extra ordinary general Assembly was signed by Chief D. M. Bubor (Ofunama community), Chief Inspector Sele (Ajakurama community), Chief Johnbul Adaun (Opuama/Polobubor Community), Chief W. B Igbiriki (Ogbudugbudu community), Chief Joseph Fedisegha (Abere Community), Chief Goddey Omokenitu (Abadigbene/Bolou Jamagie I,) Chief Ebi Eyenmi ( Ogbinbiri community), Chief Simeon Igbedikuro (Jamagie II Community) ,Chief J. P. Owilly (Gbeoba/Ugbolukanga Community) and Chief Abudu Poweilatei (The Amaokosuwei of Ofunama community).
“Gentlemen of the press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Egbema Traditional Council of Chiefs, and the ancient Egbema kingdom of Edo and Delta States, I welcome you to the ancient town of Ofunama, Egbema kingdom in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The good people of our dear kingdom just rose from an extra-ordinary general assembly of all sons and daughters of Egbema kingdom both at home and Diaspora at the ancient town of Ofunama”, they wrote.
According to them, After about 8 hours of a careful review of the recent occurrences, particularly as it relates to the recent attacks orchestrated by Mr. Henry Binidodougha and his followers against the territorial integrity and the time honoured customs and traditions of Egbema kingdom, the kingdom has resolved as follows: That Egbema kingdom is made up of nine (9) traditional villages namely, villages namely, (1) Opuama/Polobubor, (2) Ofunama, (3) Bolou-Jamagie, (4) Abadegbene/Tu-Jamagie,(5) Ogbinbiri, (6) Ogbudugbudu, (7) Gbeoba/Gbolukanga, (8)Ajakurama and (9)Abere, That by the ancient traditions of the kingdom, there are four ruling houses namely; Opuama/Polobubor, Bolou-Jamagie, Ogbudugbudu and Ajakurama Ruling House/Villages, That the customs and traditions of Egbema kingdom are as gazetted in 1979 by the Military Administrator of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria,That for some time, Mr. Henry has been seen falsely parading himself as HRH, the Ojuaga 1 of Egbema Clan consisting of the seven(7) communities of Egbema Kingdom in Edo State, That the said Mr. Henry Binidodougha falsely claims he was installed as a traditional ruler (Ojuaga 1) of the seven(7) communities in Egbema by the Council of Chiefs at his Benin residence.
They said that at no time was Mr. Henry Binidodougha who hails from Ofunama town enthroned/installed and or crowned as a traditional ruler with any title whatsoever in Egbema kingdom, adding that the title of Ojuaga 1 is alien and repugnant to the customs and traditions of Egbema kingdom.
“That the activities of Mr. Henry Binidodougha are a direct attack on the ancient customs and traditions as well as the territorial integrity of the Egbema people, particularly as it relates to the traditional stool of the kingdom.
The kingdom condemns in strong terms attempts by Mr. Henry Binidodougha and his cohorts to divide the kingdom and put its communities at war with each other.The people of Egbema further condemn attempts by Mr. Henry Binidodougha to intimidate members of the Traditional Council of Chiefs with men and officers of the Nigeria Police, Zone 5 and consequently call on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the police cases pending at the office of the AIG , Zone 5, Benin City”, they stated.
The kingdom disowned Mr. Henry Binidodougha and his followers and urged all indigenes of the kingdom to refrain from dealing with the said Mr. Henry Binidodougha.
According to them, the kingdom has identified some of the followers of Mr. Henry Binidodougha as follows: Chief Tax Agbaibor, Mr. Abel Atigbi,Mr. Steven Lelekumo ,Mr. Mienweri Lelekumo, Mr. Midwest Macauley, Hon. Solomon Erinbimi, Mr. Abel Ajemiri, Chief Tonmoghan Binidodougha, Mr. Samuel Uruopa, Mr. Desmond Agbedeyi, Mr. Okada Agatha, Apst. Towei Brasana,Mr. John Akpoebi, Mr Didi Bele, Mr. Endurance Eferosua, Mr. Augustine Atijere, Mr. Think Akinda Agbonifo, Mr. Tenten Orisama, Mr. Eseimokumo Agbaibor, Mr Samuel Abaikirimi Agbedeye, Mr Izonpere Thinkan, Mr. Tunfabor Egbu, Mr. Keremi Ekankumor, Mr. Matthew Bada, Mr. Euphraim James Ofunama and Mr. Egelu Waribra.
The kingdom reaffirmed the banishment placed on Mr. Henry Binidodougha over his attempts to divide the kingdom and install himself as the Ojuaga I of the seven communities of Egbema kingdom in Edo State.
They urged the general public, particularly their neighbouring kingdoms to be wary of the antics of Mr. Henry Binidodougha and his followers.
“That Mr. Henry Binidodougha was never and will never be crowned a traditional ruler as Ofunama where he hails from is not part of the ruling houses in Egbema Kingdom.That all the villages of Egbema kingdom in Edo State are part of one indivisible and indissoluble Egbema kingdom and governed by the Egbema customs and traditions as gazetted in 1979”, they also said.
According to them; “The people of Egbema have resolved to abide by the ancient customs and traditions of one indivisible, indissoluble kingdom and have also passed a vote of confidence on Egbema Traditional Council of Chiefs chaired by High Chief David Bubor, the Toripuwei of Egbema Kingdom.The people of Egbema have also resolved further that we will continue to respond to any form of threat against the territorial integrity and the ancient Traditional Stool of Egbema kingdom. In this regard, the kingdom has activated all its defense mechanism against any direct or indirect attack on its territories”.
The kingdom expressed gratitude to their neighbouring kingdoms for their maturity and support for the ancient Egbema Kingdom and wished members of the press and other dignitaries who spared time to be present journey mercy back to their various destinations.
