Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Olu of Warri Coronation Ceremony, Prince Yemi Emiko, has said that the two princes declared wanted failed to honour police invitation.
While noting that the palace had no hands in the said declaration, Prince Emiko urged the law enforcement agents to do their job dispassionately.
Recall that two Itsekiri princes Oyowoli and Omatsuli Emiko, who are sons of the late 20th Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli were declared wanted in the Warri Kingdom by the Police Criminal Investigation Department, Zone ‘5’ Headquarters in Benin city, Edo State, on Monday over the missing crowns and other royal artefacts.
Emiko said the issue of the missing crowns was a criminal case, which requires the police to do the job of unmasking those who broke into the palace to steal the crowns.
He pointed out that the wanted young men might not have been declared wanted if they had earlier honoured an invitation by the police like every other person related to the throne.
According to him, the missing crowns and other royal artefacts are under the direct care of the palace authorities, including the traditional chiefs, requiring discreet investigations into the theft.
“They (unknown persons) broke into the strong room and stole the crowns and some other royal artefacts. We went to the police to say this is what we have seen and a lot of persons were invited. I was invited.
“If there are some persons the police invited and they refused to go. We are not the ones to teach the police their job. The palace has no hand in the matter.
“I believe maybe if they show up and are interrogated like some of us, they (police) would let them go. This is a criminal matter,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Tribune Online reports that the missing crowns would not in any way affect the coronation of the Olu-designate, Omoba Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri come Saturday.
Speaking on the issue on his official Facebook page, Itsekiri chief and lawyer, Robinson Ariyo, opined that the people make their king and not the crown, saying the coronation would hold without any hitch.
“It is the people that make their king, not the crown, beads or other regalia; hence the king remains a king even when he is in the swimming pool.
“A man who makes and calls himself ‘king’ will most likely be the masquerade and his own spectator at the same time; just pity him and check his mental health,” he enthused.
Chief Robinson said the ceremony is open to all as “no access cards are required to attend the event.
“Attendance is free and without any condition; seats are allocated on first come first seat basis. There are no fewer than three halls that would accommodate as many as possible.
“It is only the main hall that would be regulated with priority for the chiefs, princes and princesses, traditional rulers, community heads, etc.”
Also speaking on the coronation preparations, Secretary of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, Mr Mathew Itsekure, said the programme of activities lined up for the coronation will begin with a Praise and Worship session on Friday at the Palace of the Olu of Warri.
He added that on Saturday, the actual coronation day, there will be a Boat Regatta on the Warri River “that will later depart for Ode Itsekiri in a Boat Amanda, escorting the Royal Boat conveying Omoba Emiko to Ode Itsekiri for the Royal Rites and crowning.”
He added that the entire event will end on Sunday with an inter-denomination Thanksgiving Service at the Palace of the Olu of Warri in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Top federal and state government functionaries, traditional rulers and captains of industries, among others were among the dignitaries expected during the coronation ceremony.
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