By Ehichioya Steve Odion
Komunio Community in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State has described the recent appointment of Michael Sado as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella as unlawful and grave injustice to the entire community.
The community are united in their voices in condemnation of what they called a gross violation of their tradition, law and rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
Spokesperson of the community Chief Charles Adogah, SAN, the Obodeanokpella of Okpella made these known while briefing journalists today at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in Benin City.
He recalled that on 30th April, 2025, the community rejoiced when the Edo State government came out with a press release promising that appropriate modalities would be followed in the selection of a new Okuokpellagbe, which development gave them hope that due process would be followed and the voice of tradition, law and the people would prevail.
Adogah said however, the community was surprised that the very process that was promised in public was undermined.
He described it as flagrant violation of the Chieftaincy Declaration; the law regulating succession to the Traditional Title of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.
"Instead of respecting the procedure outlined in the Declaration, which clearly vests the power of nominating the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella on the appropriate component branch of the appropriate ruling house superintendent by the village head, a different script was followed. A script written by a few individuals".
"This script birthed the illegal appointment of one Michael Sado, who was neither selected by Ukhomunyio village, nor presented to the Kingmakers, nor installed according to tradition. He was simply annointed by a group that has no legal recognition in the Declaration. There was no consensus. No valid meeting of adult males of Komunio village. No formal approval by a continually recognized Kingmakers. In fact no legitimate process".
He said the most disturbing aspect of it was the brutal repression of the people of the community who dared to speak out, adding that young men, sisters and elders are being harassed, arrested and detained at the orders of the state or those acting on its behalf in Okpella.
The community therefore appealed to the Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo for the immediate suspension of the unlawful coronation of Mr. Michael Sado, and the cancellation of the flawed process that led to his appointment.
They also demanded that the Komunio village of Oteku Ruling House be allowed, without interference, to carry out its traditional and lawful responsibility of selecting a candidate to the exalted throne of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.
That the selection process proceeds strictly in line with the Declaration of the Customary Law regulating the selection and that all arrests and harassment of peaceful and innocent community members should cease immediately and those arrested be released unconditionally without delay.
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