Alleged murder, arson: Elders call for suspension of Kumane, the Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom

…Say Traditional ruler can’t remain in office in face of criminal charges him

By Miracle Olotuche

The Elders and Leaders of Thought of Evwreni Kingdom in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta State, have called for immediate suspension from office of Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, Erunwedede 111, the Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom over alleged criminal charges against him.

The Elders, among other things, demanded that the King should be suspended to face terrorism, murder, arson cases been preferred against him by the Attorney General of the Federation in charge NO:FHC/ABJ/CR/401/2023 ABUJA and FHC/WR/95C/2020-WARRI.

The Elders of Thought, which made the call via a petition address to the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and the Delta State tate Governor, his Excellency ifeanyi Okowa, said Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane going by the style and title of Eruvwedede 111The Ovie Of Evwreni
cannot remain in office as a traditional rulers or member of the Traditional Rulers Council whilst the criminal charges lasted

The twelve Elders, who signed the petition include, Major John Ovwufeti(rtd) Fmr, President General ECIU , Chief Wilfred Utuedor, the Odion Orode of Evwreni Kingdom, Chief Felix Ayovwe, the Otota Oróde of Evwreni Kingdom, Chief Jabin Omoko, the Olotu Qrode of Evwreni Kingdom, Chief(Barr.) Mumaikai Unagha, Legal Practitioner, Comr. Lucky Adjogbe Edewor, Ph.D, Chief (Barr.) Eric Osharode
Permanent Secretary (rtd), Hon. Desmond Okpako Duke, former Deputy Majority Leader, UNLGC.

Others were Hon. Bright Adjogbe, Presiders, Genera ECIU, Hon. Peter’ Menson, President General Unenurhie CDU, Prince Kenneth Ukpebitere
prominent Evwreni indigene and Prince Matthew Uba, former Vice President Genera lEwreni Kingdom, respectively.

The petition reads, “Our attention has has been drawn to circulating white paper report on the judicial panel of inquiry into the Evwreni Community Crisis.

“We have seen the report and we wish to express our deep appreciation to the Delta State Government, especially the Judicial panel and the subsequent committee that drew up the white paper for government implementation.

“Sir, the said report in one of the recommendation stated that Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, Erunwedede 111, the Ovie of Evwreni should answer the criminal charges against him. We, the Elders and Leaders of Thought in Evwreni kingdom applauded this statement and wish to appealed that the king should be suspended pending the final determination of the charges against him.

“By virtue of his position as a traditional rulers appointment by the Delta State Government, he falls within the category of a public servant, guided by the laws of the state, therefore, he cannot remain in office as a traditional rulers or member of the Traditional Rulers Council whilst the criminal charges lasted.

“The king is facing terrorism,murder, arson cases preferred against him by the Attorney General of the Federation in charge NO:FHC/ABJ/CR/401/2023 ABUJA and FHC/WR/95C/2020-WARRI.

“For the purpose of emphasis a civil/public servant facing criminal charges inter alia has to leave office until final determination of the charges against him.See the financial instructions of the civil public service of Delta State.

“More especially, the Ovie no longer command the respect of the people as acknowledged in the white paper having been involved in the series of killings, burning and destruction of properties in the community.

“As you may be aware, barely twenty four hours after he was docked and granted bail in the bond sum of #10,000,000 by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, presided over by Ho.Justice Abang Okon, the Ovie’s armed disbanded vigillante group again killed a woman and her grand child in a cruel manner whose investigation is being carried out by the police.

“Sir, the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council in our estimation is made up of distinguished men of honour and integrity not killers such as the Ovie of Evwreni who is currently facing terrorism, murder and other criminal charges both in Warri and Abuja Federal High Courts.

“Secondly, his late father Owin Kumane , Erunwedede ll and himself are paternally not from Evwreni, they are from Iyede Kingdom neighbouring Evwreni kingdom and so ought not to have ascended the throne of Evwreni in the first place.This is why the gods of Evwreni are angry and there will be no peace in Evwreni until the right person enthroned.This case is in High Court Ughelli.

“We, Evwreni people are not convinced of the growing speculations that Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane the Ovie is been supported by some members of Traditional Rulers Council, therefore, the needful should be done by his suspension.

“This accords with S. 41 (2) (c) & (d) of the Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law of Delta State. Recently,a top civil servant in the state was suspended to face investigation for an offence.Therefore, that of Ovie of Evwreni cannot be different or exceptional.

“For the avoidance of doubt, find the following attached documents for your perusal.
1.Charges sheets marked exhibits A-B
2.Extracts of News letters
3.Photo of the corpse of the woman brutally killed by his vigilante
4.Picture of his being docked.

“In the light of all these glaring evidence,we humbly plead that he should be suspended forthwith to enable him face the charges currently ongoing at the Federal High Court,Warri and Abuja.”