Edo commissioner stripped of chieftaincy title for disrespecting monarch

The Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, has been stripped of the honourary chieftaincy conferred on her, the Uzoyare of Ozalla Kingdom by the Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom in Owan West local government area, HRH Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, The Okpamen the IX.

In a statement by the Palace Spokesman, Osumah Obaze, the monarch ordered the immediate revocation of her title to serve as a deterrent to others with the intention of desecrating the respected throne.

The commissioner was accused of misconduct and disrespect to the king by asking him to meet her in the car when she drove into the palace.

The statement also said that another title Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom given to George Ohioma is also revoked and is now an 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 of Ozalla on the 13th of April, 2024, during Ivbamen festival in the present of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Chairman, Owan West Local Government, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi and for openly boasting to remove the traditional ruler from office.

"In the same vein, the Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai also revoked the honorary chieftaincy title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom conferred on Barr. George Ohioma aka Armani for openly insulting and physically assaulting the Onotare of Ozalla and Secretary to the Onotare, Mr Ehichioya Ujuanbi in the presence of the Speaker to Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Council, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi at the Onotare's Palace.

"The title Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom is now the exclusive reserve of the freeborn of Ozalla Kingdom, not strangers like Barr George Ohioma. The Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai has banned/ostracized Mrs. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and Barr. George Ohioma from the palace with immediate effect. This is for the information of the general public."