THE IKA KINGSHIP CULTURE

B.S.L.N. 101 of 1979.
An appendix on the provisions of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs’ Edict, 1979 as it affects the Ika Kingdoms is brought to the fore, for general information. However, all attempts made to lay hands on those of Igbodo and Ute-Okpu Kingdoms were of no avail.

TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CHIEFS’ EDICT, 1979.

(I) TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CHIEFS’ EDICT, 1979.
Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession to Traditional Ruler Title.
It is hereby notified for general information that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs’ Edict, 1979, and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, the Executive Council of the Bendel State of Nigeria has approved the following declaration.

DECLARATION MADE UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CHIEFS’ EDICT, 1979, STATING THE CUSTOMARY LAW REGULATING SUCCESSION TO THE TITLE OF OBI OF AGBOR.

1. There is only one Ruling House in Agbor known as Umudein.
2. Succession is by primogeniture and females are absolutely barred. Should an Obi die without a surviving male issue, succession passes to his eldest surviving brother and his heirs. An heir apparent will however be disqualified if he suffers from serious deformity, contagious disease or insanity or if he is an ex-convict, in which case, succession passes to his eldest surviving brother and his heirs.
3. If the heir apparent is a minor at his father’s death, a Regency Council of six members consisting of the Oweh, the Ojeba, the Oshodin from Idibodein and the three eldest surviving males from the Ruling House, function until the minor attains majority.
4. Upon the demise of an Obi, his children perform and complete the burial ceremonies spread out over a minimum period of four months. After the service of the shrine at Agbonta, the heir apparent’s elder paternal uncle announces the date of installation.
5. On the appointed date, the Chief Royal Priest, assisted by the others, installs the Obi in the presence of the Chiefs and the general public.
   DATED at Benin City this 28th day of September, 1979. D.P. LAWANI, OON, KSG, Secretary to the Military Government,
   Bendel State of Nigeria.
   D.P. LAWANI, OON, KSG,
   Secretary to the Military Government,
   Bendel State of Nigeria.

(II) TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CHIEFS’ EDICT, 1979.
Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession to Traditional Ruler Title.
It is hereby notified for general information that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs’ Edict, 1979, and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, the Executive Council of the Bendel State of Nigeria has approved the following declaration.

DECLARATION MADE UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE TRADITIONAL RULERS AND CHIEFS’ EDICT, 1979, STATING THE CUSTOMARY LAW REGULATING SUCCESSION TO THE TITLE OF OBI OF OWA.

1. There is only one Ruling House in Owa known as Obisi.
2. Succession is by primogeniture and females are absolutely barred. Should an Obi die without a surviving male issue, succession passes to his eldest surviving brother and his heirs. An heir apparent will however be disqualified if he suffers from serious deformity, contagious disease or insanity or if he is an ex-convict, in which case, succession passes to his eldest surviving brother and his heirs.
3. If the heir apparent is a minor at his father’s death, a Regency Council of three eldest members of the Ruling House, one of whom must be the eldest paternal uncle of the heir-apparent, function until the minor attains majority.
4. Upon the demise of an Obi, interment takes places on or after the seventh day. Thereafter, the death is announced by Ihama and the burial rites and ceremonies which are the responsibility of the Ruling House are performed and completed within three months. Meanwhile, the heir apparent is, upon his father’s demise, symbolically installed and physically or notionally stays at Uselu.
5. After the first three months, the installation rites and ceremonies, which are spread over a period of a month, are performed by the Ovia in the presence of the Chiefs and the general public.
   DATED at Benin City this 28th day of September, 1979.

D.P. LAWANI, OON, KSG,
Secretary to the Military Government,
Bendel State of Nigeria.
To be continued…