The Igbomotoru 1 Community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has written the State Government to dispel the claim by its deposed traditional ruler, HRM Aseimieghen Ofongo, that he was forciblly removed from his throne by gunmen working for oil thieves.
The chiefs of the community in the letter to the Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the monarch was deposed for gross misconduct.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, Asemighen Ofongo, had claimed in a petition to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, that his removal was instigated the head of a militia group, General Endurance Amagbin.
The embattled monarch said his removal which was announced on state radio was not approved by the government.
However, the leaders of the Community’s Council of Chiefs l Ayibanumuyu Joel, Clinton Iyekoroghe and Paul Authority, dismissed the monarch’s claim in a letter titled “Notice of Dethronement and Request for Withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition after Administrative Procedure.”
The letter was signed on behalf of the community by its Counsel, Mr Peace Jonah Esq.
The trio said that the community took the decision to remove the king at a town hall meeting on December 12, 2021 for gross misconduct,
They said that the monarch was found culpable misappropriation of community fund, lack of accountability, consultation, disrespect for elders, and desecration of sacred institutions in the Community, and
They also accused the monarch taking unilateral decisions affecting the entire Community without presenting same before a general meeting for deliberation and possible resolution.
“We unanimously resolved that HRH Aseimieghen Ayibaikie Ofongo be and is hereby dethroned as the Amananawei of Igbomotoru I Community subject to further administrative procedures in line with the extant laws of Bayelsa State.
“Please enclosed a copy of the resolution of the town hall meeting dated the 12th day of December, 2021 for ease of reference and for your action”.
They also said that the deposed king violated the mandatory requirement that the occupant of the position of king must be resident of the community for a minimum of two weeks every month among others.
