His Royal Highness, Zaki Iredia Eidenojie, the Enojie of Ubiaja, yesterday denied harassing his subjects with cultists over a major road said to have been blocked by the King.
There has been a major crisis between the people of Ubiaja in Esan South East local government area of Edo State and the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Zaiki Iredia Eidenojie as the traditional ruler was accused of blocking an ancient community road with a fence which has made the area not passable.
He was also accused of locking a quarry site in the community and trying to impose leadership on the union and that he has been harassing the people with suspected thugs and secret cult members
When contacted, HRH Zaiki Eidenojie dined the allegations, but challenged them to go to court if they feel aggrieved
He said “How can a king be using cult boys to harass his people? I don’t think that is done anywhere. This is like a shock to me. I did not block any road leading to anywhere. The governor was aware and had to send the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Infrastructureand Environment, they came to do their findings. There is a law that governs the land.”
On the quarry site, he said it was locked to enable him to resolve the crisis rocking the leadership and running of the site.
Elder Ibhaseguahi Obaseki told journalists in Benin City that he advised the king against erecting the fence because of its historical and traditional importance.
He said the road was first paved out in the 20s but tarred a few years ago.
According to him, “it would amount to locking out his kindred. The action of the King is now preventing quarters in Eguare-Ubiaja from accessing each other.”
He said, elders of the community have reported to the government and that the government and elders are working on the crisis.
Another elder David Omodiale said he was the Secretary to the Palace from 2011 to 2018, but resigned when he was no longer satisfied with the way the king was leading the kingdom.
He recalled how the then governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor tarred the road to immortalize the late Princess Marries Ojudo, who died during the electioneering campaign leading to his governorship.
