Newly installed Ohworode of ancient Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty Albert Akpomudje, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, mounted the royal throne of the Delta Kingdom on Saturday promising to “work in harmony with the traditional council and younger generations to facilitate rapid development of the community”.
King Akpomudje spoke with journalists shortly after his traditional installation as the Alaka-Eyanwien I, performed by Olorogun Philip Korobor Atuduhor, the Okpako r’Illorogun (Oldest Chief) of Olomu kingdom and consecration by Archbishop of Bendel Province, Dr. Cyril Odotemu, followed by a 21 cannon shots.
The symbolism of the title Alaka-Eyanwien I is occasioned by the fact that Eyanvwien was the first son of Alaka, a Co-founder of Olomu Kingdom.
The new monarch clarified that “as a Nigerian senior lawyer, no law prevents me as a traditional ruler from going to court to practice and continue to ply my trade”.
He added, “But when you look at the position of the Ohworode, and if I want people to give that position the respect it deserves, then it may be difficult for me to go to court to go and practice the way I was going.
“I am thinking of going to apply to the Bar Council to give me an exception so that I can appear in court if I want to, in some very high profile cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
“But so far, no law prevents a traditional ruler who is a lawyer from practicing his trade.”
Meanwhile, the Urhobo Traditional Rulers in Delta State have called on the Federal Government to, without further delay, assign constitutional responsibilities for monarchs across the country.
“The insecurity in the country will be adequately addressed if there are constitutional responsibilities for monarchs”, the group stated.
The monarchs spoke on the occasion of the installatiion of the new Ohworode of ancient Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Albert Akpomudje, SAN.
While congratulating the newly installed 14th Ohworode of ancient Olomu Kingdom, the Urhobo traditional rulers reiterated the call on the Federal Government for traditional responsibilities for kings in the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the Urhobo Traditional Rulers at the event, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope-West Local Government Area, His Majesty King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, Urhie I, noted that “traditional rulers in the country cannot answer to the dictates of everybody without responsibilities assigned to them in the Nigerian Constitution”.
He said, “Of course, you know that we are the closest government. Every traditional ruler is the president in their communities.
“We have 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. If there is peace in the 774 LGAs, it is the traditional rulers that make things possible.
“The insecurity in the country will be adequately addressed if there are constitutional responsibilities for the monarchs.
“So, we desire a constitutional duty from the Federal Government”.
Earlier, the Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Dr Odiboroghene Odutemu also congratulated the newly installed Olomu monarch, praying that his ascension to the throne swill witness greater development in the community.
“This is an opportunity not just for him as a person, but for the Church as the learned cadre of men pilot the affairs of the Kingdom”, he stated.
He added that “the Church shall continue to pray for goodness and growth of this Kingdom.”
The installation ceremony was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life including serving and retired Judges, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri and Udu branches, former Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, former Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Smith as well as executives of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, among others.
