The elders and leaders of thought of Evwreni kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have called for the suspension of their king, Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, Erunwedede 111, pending the final determination of the charges against him in court.
Recall that the Evwreni monarch was docked on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, presided by Justice Abang Okon, in the case marked, FHC/WR/95/2020 FRN VS OGHENEKEVWE KUMANE.
In granting the king bail in the sum of Ten million naira (N10,000,000.00) following the prosecutor’s withdrawal of a motion to discontinue the charge filed by the Police, Justice Okon ordered that the accused to provide a reliable surety in the like sum who shall depose to an affidavit of means and verifiable address/property within the jurisdiction.
In a letter dated 22nd November 2022, and addressed to the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, the Evwreni kingdom Elders and Leaders of Thought appealed that “the king should be suspended pending the final determination of the charges against him”.
Among the twelve elders and leaders that signed the letter were the former President General ECIU, Major John Ovwufeti (Rtd); Otota Orode of Evwreni Kingdom, Chief Felix Ayovwe; Odion Orode of Evwreni Kingdom (Regent), Chief Wilfred Utuedor and Olotu of Evwreni Kingdom, Chief Jabin Omoko.
Excerpts of the letter below:
“Our attention has been drawn to circulating white paper report on the judicial panel of inquiry into the Evwreni Community Crisis. We have seen the report and we wish to express our deep appreciation to the Delta State Government, especially the Judicial panel and the subsequent committee that drew up the white paper for government implementation.
“Sir, the said report in one of the recommendations stated that Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, Erunwedede 111, the Ovie of Evwreni should answer the criminal charges against him. We, the Elders and Leaders of Thought in Evwreni kingdom applauded this statement and wish to appeal that the king should be suspended pending the final determination of the charges against him. By virtue of his position as a traditional rulers appointment by the Delta State Government, he falls within the category of a public servant, guided by the laws of the state, therefore, he cannot remain in office as a traditional ruler or member of the Traditional Rulers Council whilst the criminal charges lasted.
“For the purpose of emphasis, a civil/public servant facing criminal charges inter alia has to leave office until final determination of the charges against him. See the financial instructions of the civil public service of Delta State. More especially, the Ovie no longer command the respect of the people as acknowledged in the white paper having been involved in the series of killings, burning and destruction of properties in the community.
“As you may be aware, barely twenty-four hours after he was docked and granted bail in the bond sum of #10,000,000 by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, presided over by Ho. Justice Abang Okon, the Ovie’s armed disbanded vigilante group again killed a woman and her grandchild in a cruel manner whose investigation is being carried out by the police.
“Sir, the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council in our estimation is made up of distinguished men of honour and integrity not killers such as the Ovie of Evwreni who is currently facing terrorism, murder and other criminal charges both in Warri and Abuja Federal High Courts.
“Secondly, his late father Owin Kumane, Erunwedede ll and himself are paternally not from Evwreni, they are from Iyede Kingdom neighbouring Evwreni kingdom and so ought not to have ascended the throne of Evwreni in the first place. This is why the gods of Evwreni are angry and there will be no peace in Evwreni until the right person enthroned. This case is in High Court Ughelli.
“We, Evwreni people are not convinced of the growing speculations that Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane the Ovie is been supported by some members of Traditional Rulers Council, therefore, the needful should be done by his suspension.This accords with S. 41 (2) (c) & (d) of the Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law of Delta State. Recently, a top civil servant in the state was suspended to face investigation for an offence. Therefore, that of Ovie of Evwreni cannot be different or exceptional.”
