Benin Traditional Council dismisses claims of alleged demotion of prominent Chief

The Benin Traditional Council(BTC) has dismissed claims over the purported demotion of one of its prominent Chiefs, Osemede Adun by His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewaure 11.

The Benin palace said Chief Osemede, the Ayobahan of Benin Kingdom was not only found worthy by late Oba Erediauwa who initiated him into the Chieftaincy title rank but had equally demonstrated unalloyed loyalty to the present Oba
In a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Benin City by the secretary (BTC) Frank Irabor, the palace attributed the alleged demotion of Chief Osemede from the 4th position of hierarchy to 14th, as the handi-work of mischief makers who are out to misinform the public for personal interest.
“He has shown close loyalty to the present Oba of Benin. his Royal Majesty, Omoko N’ Oba Ewuare 11 right from the time the present Oba was still the Edeikan of Uselu. His Royal Majesty has had no reason to have contrary opinion of Chief Osemede Adun”
On his part, Chief Osemede Adun, described the claims over his demotion as unfolded, a calculated attempt to smear his hard earned name, adding that he had since written a petition to the State Police Commissioner against those responsible for the false alarm and criminal defamation of character.
He said, ” the attention of the Ayobahan of Benin kingdom, Chief, John Osamede Adun (JP) has been drawn to an online media report which says the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11 has demoted Chief John Osamede Adun from No. 4 in the palace chieftaincy hierarchy to No. 14.
“Let it be publicly known that the online report is false, unfounded and a calculated attempt to smear the name of Chief John Adun.”
He said, “it is my belief that the report is the imagination of the writer and a paid move to ridicule the Ayobahan of Benin who is extremely and eternally loyal to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11. However, the originator of the write-up has been identified.
Adding that, ” a formal petition of false alarm, false information, false allegation and criminal defamation against those who orchestrated the write-up has been written to the Edo State Commissioner of Police for necessary action,” he concluded.