THE Benin royal family has announced the suspension of the embattled Prof. Gregeory Akenzua from the family.
Akenzua is one of the suspended enigie (dukes) in the kingdom, who along with and other enigie had dragged the Oba of Benin to court to challenge their suspension.
Akenzua, a professor of Gynaecology, former deputy vice chancellor of the University of Benin and former chairman, Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, is a younger brother to Oba Erediauwa, father of Oba Ewuare II.
Addressing a press conference, members of the royal family said Akenzua, against all entreaties, had chosen to challenge the Benin traditional institution through his acts “that are utterly at variance with the customs and tradition of the Benin people, and the core values of the Benin Royal Family.”
A press statement read on behalf of the royal family by Prince George Eweka, said: “Professor Gregory Idurobo Akenzua has betrayed the core values of respect for the Benin customs and tradition; devotion and submission to the customary hierarchy of the Benin Kingdom; and respect for customary arbitration process. Instead, he has chosen the path of rebellion.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Royal Family wishes to emphasise that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, occupies a unique position as the father of every member of the Benin Royal Family, irrespective of age; hence the Royal family does not have an Okaegbe, like other families in Benin Kingdom, but Odion Egbe, who is required by tradition to defer to His Royal Majesty.”
They stressed that in utter violation of the hierarchy of succession to the Odion-Egbe position of the Benin Royal Family, Akenzua has been parading himself as the Odion-Egbe of the Royal Family and has held meetings to assert himself as such, when he knows that he is not rightfully entitled to the position, being far lower in the hierarchy of seniority in the family.
They explained that the family had given Akenzua ample opportunities to retrace his steps and return to the path of honour and dignity, noting: “Akenzua has snubbed and rejected the opportunities provided by the Royal Family for him to retrace his wrongful steps.
“After a careful review of the facts, the Benin Royal Family has decided that Akenzua is hereby suspended from the Benin Royal Family for his acts of rebellion against the Benin Traditional Institution.
“Akenzua is no longer to participate in any activity connected with the Benin Royal Family.
“All members of the Benin Royal Family are strongly directed not to relate, associate or engage with Akenzua for as long as he remains suspended from the Benin Royal Family.”
When contacted for his reaction, Akenzua said he was in Lagos “for an engagement” and requested time to enable him respond.
