Ex-Deputy Commissioner Of Police, 11 Others Allegedly Derobe As Chiefs Over ‘Palace Coup’ In Delta

A former deputy commissioner of police and eleven other traditional title holders in Idjerhe Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta state has been reportedly disrobed over their involvement in a ‘palace coup’.

BIGPEN understands the trios were stripped of their status after they were discovered to be involved in a secret moves to install a new King in Idjerhe Kingdom without the knowledge of the current regent and kingmakers.

It was learnt that the twelve chiefs had allegedly connived with some army and policemen and forced the security guard at the ‘Oguedion’ of the Kingdom, one Aaron Nikiro to open the sacred kingmaker’s palace where a new king is usually crown around 3: am in a bid to perpetrate the plans to crowd a new king.

Storming the Oguedion around 3: am, the invaders allegedly forced the said Nikoro under duress with promise to reward him with cash to open the gate where one of the Chiefs was clandestinely crown as new king of Idjerhe.

But irked by the development, the regent of Idjerhe Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Agoda Emeje, who addressed newsmen on Monday, announced the disrobement of the twelve chiefs involved in the act which he described as sacrilege and unprecedented in the history of Idjerhe Kingdom.

Confirming the report, Chief Emeje said that there is no tussle over the throne and nobody has been selected by the kingmakers to be installed as new king since the demise of the former monarch.

The regent wondered why the group of chiefs decided to rebel against the Kingdom by conniving to usurp his office and that of others when the process of making a new king was still on.

“I am the regent and Iyesere of Idjerhe Kingdom and I want to say today being Monday, March 9, 2020 that nobody has emerged as traditional ruler of Idjerhe Kingdom. The state government and all relevant authorities should take notice and be wary of anybody parading themselves as members of Ovie-in-council or king of Idjerhe Kingdom.

“What this group of people did is sacrilegious and unprecedented in the history of this Kingdom. Therefore by the powers conferred on me as the regent and Iyesere, I hereby disrobe them of their traditional titles. They are no longer chiefs of this Kingdom and they stand banished.

“Angus Omasoro is not a king in Idjerhe Kingdom and he is also not a chief here again. Those who crowned him king are not kingmakers here, I am the regent and Iyesere and I didn’t endorse any of such acts that are sacrilegious to our norms and customs so whatever that was done on Sunday, March 8, 2020 is none and void abi nitio”.

“Those derobed include; Chiefs Agbamitortor Sago, Achoja Odeweni, Ikewun Stephen, (former deputy commissioner of police),  Isaac Ejenavi, Akpasa Kuku, Okumakpone William, Makaba Gilbert, Raphael Ogude, Angus Omasoro,  Benson Otugoma, William Etadaferua, Edojiariogba”.

He said that a formal petition would be written against the aforementioned persons to the relevant security agency including the Department of State Security (DSS), state commissioner of police and others, maintaining that should any crisis erupt in Jesse, traditional headquarters of Idjerhe Kingdom, the disrobed chiefs should be held responsible.

Members of the Ovie-in-Council present during the pronouncement include; Chief Emeje Gabriel (Uzzi), Chief Williams Atiti (Senior Gbrogodo, Kingmaker), Chief Godwin Ofishe (Gbrogodo, Kingmaker), Chief Solomon Ojariafe (Gbrogodo, Kingmaker), Chief Samuel Okoro, (Unevworo) Chief John Edafeburu, (Unevworo)  and Chief Kingsley Evwierhurhoma.