Benin Traditional Council Secretary threatens legal suit against community over alleged defamation

Barely 48 hours after the sack of the spiritual head of Okhoromi community, Kelvin Ovbokhan Igbinovia by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, BTC, Frank Irabor has threatened a legal suit against the community over alleged indictment of conspiracy.

DAILY POST had on Thursday, May 15, 2025 reported that the Benin monarch deposed the Ohen (priest) of the community for alleged land grabbing, extortion, and unauthorized demolition of private properties.

Recall that the community had on May 14, 2025, a day before the deposition of the embattled spiritualist (priest), protested to the palace of the Oba of Benin accusing the secretary to BTC, Frank Irabor of allegedly aiding the priest for the demolition of property and land grabbing.

The protesters were armed with placards of inscriptions such as “Frank Irabor stop supporting the evil Act” among others.

They alleged that the BTC’s Scribe was rewarded with a parcel of land measuring 100 x 50.

Reacting, Frank Irabor described the allegations as false, baseless, unfounded and an attempt to give a dog a bad name to hang it.

Irabor, who gave the community particularly the spokesman for the protesters seven-days ultimatum to retract the allegations or face severe litigations in court, noted that the allegations were totally malicious and an attempt to deliberately smear his reputation, integrity as well as that of his  family.

He opined that there was no evidence to support the allegations levelled against him and challenged anyone in the community particularly Victor Aigbe John, the spokesman for the protesters to provide proof of such claims within seven- days.

According to him, I am compelled to address the malicious allegations circulating about my alleged involvement with the Ohen of Okhoromi.

“The claims that I aided and protected the Ohen in demolishing property in the community and that I was rewarded with a 100 x 50 plot of land are entirely false and baseless.

“This claim was carried out by the Okhoromi Community where my name “FRANK IRABOR STOP SUPPORTING EVIL ACT” was inscribed in a banner used in the Protest dated on the 14th day of May, 2025.

“The protesters did not only stop at the inscription on the banner, but one Victor Aigbe John who led the agitators went further to mention that I was rewarded with a plot of land measuring 100 feet by 50 feet in the public before the authority

“This action is totally malicious and an attempt to deliberately smear my person, family and integrity.

“There is no evidence to support these allegations, and I challenge anyone or Okhoromi Community particularly Victor Aigbe John to provide proof of such claims within 7 days or retract it or face severe litigations in court”, he said.

Irabor, who stated that as a public figure, he was committed to all duties as obliged to him by His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, vowed that he would never engage in actions that compromise his duties.

He noted that he was also committed to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all individuals including the Okhoromi Community.

The BTC secretary, however, vehemently denied any involvement in aiding or protecting the priest of the community in demolishing property or engaging in any unlawful activities.

“I also deny receiving any reward, including a 100 x 50 plot of land, for any alleged protection or assistance”,he added.

He, however, called on relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and take action against those allegedly spreading false information.

Benin Traditional Council Secretary threatens legal suit against community over alleged defamation