The Edo State Government on Thursday said it had suspended the Onojie of Uromi in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, His Royal Highness, Anselm O. Aidenojie, from office for seven days for an alleged assault.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Peter Okhiria, indicated that the Onojie’s suspension was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and dated October 26, 2016, following the decision of the Edo State Executive Council.
The letter titled, ‘Suspension from office as traditional ruler,’ the government alleged that the traditional ruler allegedly attacked and inflicted grievous bodily harm on one Mrs. Betty Okoebor on September 28, 2016, in public “to the embarrassment of those present and causing disgrace to your otherwise esteemed office.”
The Onojie was alleged to have refused to respond to a query issued by the “appropriate authority” within the stipulated 72 hours, thereby demonstrating total disregard and disrespect for constituted authority.
He was also accused of allegedly travelling out of the country without obtaining permission to further demonstrate his disregard for extant regulations and laws.
The state government urged the traditional to tender an apology to the victim and the Edo State Government within the seven-day period or stand deposed as the Onojie of Uromi.