Delta State government has condemned the alleged dethronement of the Obi of Abavo, His Royal Highness Obi Irenume 1 and the subsequent installation of a new king, saying that the development was illegal and unacceptable.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay who announced this while briefing journalists at the end of the State Security Council meeting in Agbor, said the state government totally condemned the act and described it as ultra-vires, obnoxious and of no effect especially as the recognised Obi was still alive.
He said no individual has the right to dethrone an Obi explaining that it was only a competent court of law that has the judicial power to depose a traditional ruler.
“Anybody crowned by the indigenes of a community and given a staff of office by the government is the accepted king. Nobody has the right to remove such a king except through the court of law”, he stated.
He warned those fomenting trouble in Abavo to desist from such un-holy act as the state government was ready to deal decisively with all those creating disorder and insecurity.
Comrade Macaulay said government has deployed security operatives to Abavo to maintain peace and curb the violence in the area.
Speaking further, he disclosed that landlords, family members and relatives of kidnap suspects on the run would henceforth be arrested and held liable until the suspects showed up.
“The Security Council has directed that henceforth landlords, relatives and family members of kidnap suspects and criminals on the run be arrested; this will make them give information to security agencies to aid them in arresting the suspect”, he added.
Macaulay said the Council also ordered the immediate closure of Lucy Guest House a kidnap den in Asaba, explaining that the closure became necessary because it has been confirmed that the Guest House was being used as a hideout for criminals.
His words: “the state Security Council ordered the closure of Lucy Guest House because it has been confirmed by the police that it is been used as a hideout for kidnap suspects and criminals.”
