Ikpeshi Royal Father Opposes Otaru’s Nomination As Commissioner
By DADA AYOKHAI
The commissioner nominee from Akoko Edo , Prof Roland Otaru, SAN, is facing opposition from the traditional ruler of Ikpeshi, his immediate community, due to his role in a legal battle over the throne of the clan Head of Ikpeshi/Egbigere and also involvement in induced crises in the community.
Prof. Otaru,, a nominee for commissioner, was notably absent during the commissioner’s screening at the Edo State House of Assembly.
His absence was significant, especially given the controversy surrounding his nomination by the traditional ruler of Ikpeshi, HRH Luckman Odamah III.
The monarch, HRH Luckman Odamah III of Ikpeshi/Egbigere Clan, while thanking Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for nominating Prof. Otaru, SAN, as commissioner—a first for their community—opposes his confirmation due to Otaru’s involvement in a long standing lawsuit against his nomination as a clan head.
The royal father argues in his petition to the state governor and made available to journalists that confirming Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, as commissioner would put him in a position to influence policies affecting the chieftaincy, despite his personal involvement in a related court case and effectively making him a judge in his own case.
The royal father further contends that Otaru’s confirmation as commissioner could lead to him undermining the lawful position of the Edo State Government, which has never challenged his (the monarch’s) gazetted status as the clan head of Ikpeshi/Egbigere Clan, as per Gazette/Declaration No. 159 of 1979.
He said “From 2012 till date, the position of Prof. R. I. Otaru, SAN has always been in opposition to that of the Edo State Government, the Attorney-General of Edo State and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in all the court cases with respect to my ascension to the throne from the High Court, to the Court of Appeal and now at the Supreme Court on the chieftaincy contest in [kpeshi/Egbigere Clan. “
”This petition has become necessary to lay the fact bare that if Prof.R.I Otaru, (SAN) assumes membership of the Edo State Executive Council which is charged with the noble responsibility to ensure that any appointment of a traditional ruler in Edo State accords fully with the gazzeth and/or declarations as passed into law by the Edo state government.
The royal father, HRH Luckman Odamah III, recounted the history of the legal dispute, stating that Prof. Otaru, who had served as a legal adviser to his late father, the previous clan head of Ikpeshi, later became an obstacle to his ascension to the throne. Otaru allegedly used proxies to file unsuccessful court cases against his installation and subsequently claimed that it was his family’s turn to produce the clan head.
He said “Upon the death of my father, HRH Alhaji Momodu Odamah II, Prof. R. I. Otaru, SAN have been in stern opposition to my legitimate and lawful quest to ascend the throne and succeed my late father as the Zeiki of Ikpeshi/Egbigcre Clan.
”He worked tirelessly against my nomination, traditional installation and eventual appointment by the State Government. From 2012 till date, he (Prof. R. I. Otaru, SAN) has been acting and continucs to act as Counsel to the Akoko-Edo Traditional Council that unsuccessfully worked against my appointment.”
The traditional ruler, HRH Luckman Odamah III, further alleged that apart from the legal suit, Prof. Otaru was directly and indirectly responsible for crises, destruction of property, and mayhem inflicted on innocent citizens in the community.
”Since November, 2024, Nicholas Odamah and his cohort have unleashed a reign of terror against me and the entire Clan leading to several armed attacks against innocent indigenes of Ikpeshi and wanton destruction assets, businesses and properties of hundreds of people of Ikpeshi/Egbigere Clan.
”Again, on 17th June, 2025, these murderous elements sought to eliminate me in the presence of men of Nigerian Police
