BY ROTIMI DUROJAIYE
Less than five days to the coronation of Tsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri, the police has declared his arch rival, Oyowoli Okoli, wanted.
He is the eldest son of the immediate Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, who joined his ancestors on December 20, 2020.
Omoba Olu designate, Tsola Emiko, is scheduled to be crowned on Saturday, August 21, 2021
A special police gazette bulletin, issued by the Police Force Interpol Section, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, said Emiko is wanted “for the offence of constructive breaking into the secret apartment of the HRM Olu of Warri and stealing the royal crown.”
The police bulletin has reference number CR.3000/ZN.5/X/AV/VOL.85/55.
The tussle over who sits on the revered and ancient throne of the Iwere nation has progressively taken a turn for the worst with contending parties becoming increasingly implacable and unwilling to shift ground.
On one hand is the embattled Oyowoli Emiko, and on the other hand is Tsola Emiko, whose emergence as the Omoba and presently the Olu of Warri designate, is being disputed.
As the August 21 coronation date draws nearer, a cloud of uncertainty has enveloped the entire landscape and across the riverine skies of Iwere land.
Justice Bikoro Okolosi of Asaba High Court 2, on August 5, 2021, adjourned the suit filed by Bernard Emiko and Oyowoli Emiko, immediate junior brother and eldest son of Ogiame Ikonwoli, the late Olu of Warri, to October 12 and 26, 2021, for hearing.
A similar case filed by Chief Ayiri Emami, the allegedly suspended Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, which came up earlier for hearing in High Court 3, Warri, on August 3, 2021, was also adjourned to September 28, 2021.
