By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City
IHOGBE N'ORE family of Benin Kingdom has given the Benin traditional Council (BTC)14 days to produce proof of the cases earlier tried in the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the people involved but later reviewed by the Isekhure of Benin, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure.

 They also want  a proof of how much was collected  from such cases.

 The Ihogbe N' Ore family in a statement in Benin  signed by Mr. Osagbakhoe Ogbemudia, said that if at the expiration of the 14 days and the proof was not produced, "we shall have no other option than to allow Chief Isekhure  to take appropriate legal action to redeem his image that has been badly damaged by BTC publication".

 The Ihogbe N' Ore family who was reacting to last week suspension of the Isekhure of Benin by the BTC while commenting on his alleged crimes,  described as cheap blackmail the allegation that Chief Isekhure designated his house as palace where he hold court and sometimes reviewed cases already  dealt with by the Oba.

 "How on earth will somebody after getting judgement in the Palace where such a person did not pay a dime would turn to Chief Isekhure for another round of justices where such a person would be forced to pay gratification? 

 "This is a case of giving bad name to a dog so that one can have reason to hang such dog. To this end, we demand to see and verify the people that Chief Isekhure demanded money from so that members of the public will be convinced".

 On the allegation that Chief Isekhure allegedly used his position to influenced new Chiefs celebrating their investitures to perform certain rites in his house by demanding that such celebrants comes with kolanuts, monies and drink, they said, " we of the Ihogbe N' Ore are of the view that this issue is what make Benin chieftaincy interesting and highly respected, therefore should not have been discussed on the pages of newspapers

 It explained that new chiefs coming to perform some rites as part of their investitures at some designated houses and shrines started as far back as 1255AD during the reign of Oba Ewedo and such visits was accompanied with 8 kolanuts, a bottle of hot drink and 13 Shillings and 6 pence now about N2,000.

 The family listed other places visited by the new chiefs to include shrine/places like Ogbelaka shrine, Ekpenede 1&11,Uhuoba shrine, Iyase N' Ohenmwen shrine, adding that Chief Isekhure never took more than what was required.

 On the allegation that Chief Isekhure refused to perform his duties during the Emwinekhua and subsequent coronation, it stated that the BTC created the impression that Chief Isekhure had nothing to do with the Royal burial and coronation even as it added that no invitation was extended to him otherwise, he would have honoured such invitation and play the role expected of him.

 On the allegation that he usurp the functions of the Ihama, the Ihogbe N'  Ore said that the title of Isekhure was created by Oba Ewedo in about 1255 AD when he  requested the Ihama to give him his second son adding that ever since then, the Ihama and Isekhure have lived peacefully together .

 Commenting on the alleged disrespect to some senior chiefs  and refusal to honour an invitation from the Iyase of Benin by Chief Isekhure, they described him as a man of humility, an attribute they added made the late Oba Erediauwa to show love to him.

 They also denied the allegation that he boasted to those who cares to listen that without him the neither the the Emwinekhua and the subsequent coronation could hold, saying "Chief Isekhure is a lover of Benin tradition and custom"

 The Ihogbe N' Ore further explained that the invitation from the Iyase came to him at the same time an invitation from the then Crown Prince now Oba Ewuare 11 came to him through a member of his family, Pa Gabriel Isekhure saying that he should see him in company of Pa Gabriel Isekhure see him when he returned from overseas to resolve issues at stake