By DADA AYOKHAI
A former Okaighele of Ekhor Nuwaya community in Uhumwonde Local Government Area of Edo state, Prince Junior Aghama Enonlense has appealed to the Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II for forgiveness for going against the monarch’s directives in a disputed land matter .
Prince Aghama in line with the culture of the Benin kingdom tendered an unreserved apology to the monarch.
While noting that the Benin monarch is the father of the entire Benin kingdom noted that as a subject, he has no option not to knee down to beseech for forgiveness.
Aghama who spoke to newsmen in Benin City weekend expressed regret for taking a contrary opinion against the palace pronouncement, hence, he is seeking for forgiveness and also tendering an unreserved apology.
Giving insight about the disputed land, Mr Humphrey Idehen, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Emuhun Community, in Uhumwonde local government area, noted that the disputed land crisis between the Ekhor nuwaya community
and Emuhun community started in 2006 and has caused so much concern for both community dwellers .
Idehen explained that the matter was brought before His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin who in his wisdom resolved the issue in favour of the Emuhun community.
“According to the Emuhun community Public Relations officer, it was a shock when the former Okaighele opted to go against the Oba’s directives by trespassing on the disputed land.
“We were disappointed that after the settlement by His Royal Majesty at that time which both warring community have embraced peace, the later (the former Okaighele) jettisoned the terms of settlement by continually laying claim to the said land.
“Today we are glad that the former Okaighele of Ekhor Nuwaya has embraced the path of peace by going back to the Royal majesty for forgiveness and pardon stressing that of a truth, the land in dispute rightly belong to Emuhun community.
Speaking further on the matter, the former Okaighele of Ekhor nuwaya community, Prince Aghama
said “actually the said land in dispute belongs to Emuhun community. The Royal Majesty has rightly dispensed judgment on the rightful owners of the land but some people in my community were urging me to go ahead to drag the land wrongfully.”
“I have since realized my mistakes, hence, my visit to the palace to appeal for forgiveness”, he stated.
