Community Appeals to Oba of Benin Over Alleged Impersonation of Village Head, Land Sales

Our reporter

The people of Ogiza Community in Iyekogba, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State have called on His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, to intervene in an on-going dispute over alleged impersonation of the village head, the Odionwere, and the illegal sale of community land.

Representatives of Ogiza Community, led by Mr. Lawrence Alohan, the Ozukpogieha (third-ranking elder) of the village, recently addressed the press to seek the Oba’s intervention. They claim that one Otenghabun Eghonmwanre has fraudulently assumed the position of Odionwere, a position that carries significant administrative authority within the village.

Alohan accused Eghonmwanre of using his purported role to illegally sell off community land, including the village school and market space, to the Ugogogin community. He further alleged that Eghonmwanre sold the same land to a prominent Edo State realtor, in collusion with others, thereby depriving the community of its rightful property.

Alohan’s grievances were not limited to land disputes. He also accused Eghonmwanre of misleading the Oba when summoned to the palace, falsely claiming there were no legal cases pending involving Ogiza. Alohan has filed a lawsuit against Eghonmwanre in the High Court, with the case still ongoing under Suit No. B/831/2023.

In addition, Alohan pointed out that the individuals Eghonmwanre presented to the Oba as the second, third, and fourth elders of Ogiza were not from the community. According to Alohan, these individuals are from other villages in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area and even from Delta State.

The controversy surrounding Eghonmwanre’s claim to the title of Odionwere deepened in July 2024 when the people of Ogiza summoned him before a shrine in Benin City, where he reportedly admitted that he was not from Ogiza, but from Ebue community. Despite this, Eghonmwanre allegedly continued to present himself as the village head.

The substantive Odionwere of Ogiza, Mr. Baron Enabulele, passed away nine years ago, leaving a leadership vacuum in the community. The people of Ogiza are now calling for the Oba to intervene, prevent further impersonation, and address the lack of a recognised Odionwere in the village.

Mr. Johnson Omoruyi and Mr. Moses Odighibo, both indigenes of Ogiza, echoed Alohan’s concerns. They expressed deep frustration over the loss of land for farming and the community’s inability to access basic resources like the school and market space, all allegedly sold off by Eghonmwanre.

They reiterated that there is an ongoing court case regarding the land dispute, with the court confirming that the natural boundary between Ogiza and Ugogogin is a river, a fact which further undermines Eghonmwanre’s claims to the land.

In their statement, the Ogiza community members appealed to the Oba to urgently intervene in the matter, prevent any further escalation, and ensure that the rightful leadership of the village is recognised. They also pledged their loyalty to Oba Ewuare II, whom they described as a father figure to all.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach Mr. Otenghabun Eghonmwanre for comment were unsuccessful.