Oba of Benin suspends praise group over performance at Igbinedion’s home

By Jethro Ibileke

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has suspended a royal praise-singing group, Isikhuan, indefinitely for allegedly performing at the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the monarch, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, said the decision was announced by the Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, after an emergency palace meeting on Sunday.

The group was accused of breaching palace rules and Benin tradition by staging a traditional performance reserved solely for the Oba.

According to the statement, the leader of the group, Juliet Omogui, who allegedly admitted to the allegation in a viral video, was stripped of her traditional title, ‘Okao’, and directed to return the royal headgear, Okuku, in her possession to the palace.

Chief Idah condemned the group’s action, describing it as a grave disrespect to the Benin monarchy.

The statement said the palace was surprised that Chief Igbinedion, who has deep knowledge of Benin’s sacred customs and has pledged to uphold them, permitted the Isikhuan group to perform in his honour.

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