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Ogiamien: Abolish Ekiokpagha Treaty, Coalition Appeals To Oba Of Benin

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A group, Coalition of Benin Socioal-Cultural Groups, has appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan to abolish a treaty known as Ekiokpagha, which according to the group a family known as Ogiamien is using to deceive members of the public and parading themselves as royal family.

The group argued that the Ogiamien was only recognised as a chieftaincy title under the Royal father of Benin Traditional Council as stated in the 1979 Gazette of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, appealing to the Benin monarch to also abolish the Ogiamien chieftaincy title.

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The Coalition, going down memory lane during a prese conference held in Benin on Saturday and titled ‘Sovereignity of the Benin Throne,’ said Ogiamien chieftaincy title came into existence in 1968, after one Mr. Edo wrote a letter to the then Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II, appealing to the Oba to be recognised as Ogiamien, which according to the group was acknowledged.

The press conference which was presided over by Imasuen Izoduwa on behalf of other members of the coalition said: “Ogiamien is a chieftaincy title as only recognised by the Benin Traditional Council.”

He added: “We have a letter that was addressed to Oba Akenzua II by Chief Edo who was the then Chief Ogiamien of Benin kingdom on the 9th of August 1939 begging to be recognised as a chief , like several chiefs in Benin kingdom.”

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Further going memory lane, he added, “To further buttress the point that Ogiamien was never as much an important figure or stumbling block in Benin history, Oba Ewedo created the first known title outside the “Edion” called Niyasowa now abridged as Iyase, and that title was referring to the supremacy tussle between the Oba of Benin and the Edion of the kingdom of which Oliha is the head.

READ ALSO: ovaOba Of Benin Urges Imposters Fronting Stolen Artifacts To Desist

“So, from here, you can see that Ogiamien was never in any tussle with the Oba of Benin other than the treaty of the right to hereditary succession and not ownership of land.”

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While declaring the Benin Throne as unsurmountable and sovereign, the group said the “Oba of Benin remains strong and a unifying bond for the Benins and all.”

“The Oba is the author and the preserver of the invaluable precepts and practices in the administration of his kingdom and people.”

Also speaking, Comarde Osaze Odigin, a former Public Relations Officer, Edo Civil Society Organisation (EDOCSO) said members of the coalition were determined to protect the sanity and identity of the Benin throne, adding that the briefing was just

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Edigin, on behalf of other members of group vowed to resist any attempt by any institutions or individuals to distort the Benin history, just as he pledged his allegiance to Oba of Benin.

 

 

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70-year-old Man Kills Sister Over Family Land

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A tragic case of culpable homicide has rocked the Galadanchi village in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, leaving a family in shock and grief.

According to a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the State capital, on Friday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, the incident occurred on July 1, 2025, around 1530hrs.

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“The Jigawa State Police Command is currently investigating a tragic case of culpable homicide that occurred on July 1, 2025, around 1530hrs in Galadanchi village, Dutse LGA,” SP Adam stated.

“The suspect, 70-year-old Adamu Yakubu, allegedly killed his 45-year-old sister, Hannatu Hashimu, over a land dispute stemming from family inheritance.

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“The suspect allegedly stabbed his sister with a stick during a heated argument over the sharing of family inheritance land,” SP Adam revealed.

The altercation began as a verbal disagreement but escalated into physical violence, resulting in the tragic death of Hannatu Hashimu.

The deceased exited the house bitterly and fainted upon entering the matrimonial house, prompting relatives to rush her to Dutse General Hospital.

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Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead by the medical doctor on duty, leaving the family in mourning.

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The Police statement highlighted that “the suspect was arrested and is currently in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.”

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However, SP Adam disclosed that the assault stick was recovered and kept as an exhibit, and the suspect will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.

The Jigawa State Police Command has strongly condemned the incident and urged members of the public to seek peaceful and legal ways to resolve family and land-related disputes.

The Command also expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased and assures the public that justice will be served.

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JUST IN: Court Finds Natasha Guilty Of Contempt

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday found the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, guilty of contempt over a satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27.

Justice Binta Nyako, while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension, began with the contempt application filed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

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Akpabio, in his application, challenged the senator’s post on social media, arguing it violated an earlier court order restraining all parties from commenting to the press or making social media posts related to the case.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Orders Senate To Recall Suspended Natasha

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel argued that the post was not connected to the court’s order concerning her suspension, but rather referred to a separate issue involving sexual harassment allegations against the third respondent (Akpabio).

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However, Justice Nyako held that after reviewing the post and the application before her instituted by the third respondent, she was satisfied that it was linked to the suspension matter before the court and therefore found the plaintiff guilty of contempt.

The judge ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. She also imposed a fine of N5 million.

Details shortly….

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JUST IN: Court Orders Senate To Recall Suspended Natasha

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A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ruled that the Nigerian Senate acted beyond its powers by suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, ordering her immediate recall to the Red Chamber.

Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the judgment, described the duration of the suspension as “excessive” and without a clear legal foundation.

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According to the court, both Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which the upper chamber relied upon, do not stipulate a maximum suspension period. As such, they were deemed overreaching in this case.

The judge pointed out that since the National Assembly is only required to sit for 181 days in a legislative year, suspending a lawmaker for roughly that same length of time effectively silences the voice of an entire constituency—a move she described as unconstitutional.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Grants Natasha Bail On Self-recognition

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“While the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, such sanctions must not go so far as to deny constituents their right to representation,” Nyako ruled.

However, the court sided with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on a separate issue, stating that his refusal to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to speak during a plenary—on the grounds that she was not seated in her designated chair—did not amount to a violation of her rights.

Nyako also dismissed Akpabio’s argument that the judiciary had no business interfering in what he called an “internal affair” of the legislature, stating that fundamental rights and representation are matters squarely within the court’s purview.

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In a twist, the court imposed a monetary penalty on Akpoti-Uduaghan for breaching a prior court directive that barred both parties from making public statements about the ongoing legal matter.

The fine runs into millions of naira.

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