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From Joseph Obukata, Warri
Embattled Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta State, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, who was among those declared wanted by the military in connection to the Okuama killings, has surrendered himself to the Delta State police command. It was learnt that the monarch, who turned himself in on Thursday night, was received by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwonda Olufemi, and was subsequently handed over to the Army authorities on Friday. Before he was handed over to the military, the traditional ruler, while addressing newsmen at an undisclosed location, expressed his embarrassment and surprise at being included among the individuals wanted by the Defence Headquarters for the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama, Delta State. He vehemently denied any involvement in the crime and called for an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident. The monarch, who had been living in London before his coronation, presented himself to the authorities to prove his innocence and disassociate himself from the wanted persons.
The seven others declared wanted by the DHQ include Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono, aka Amangben, Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akaka Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Reuben Baru, and a woman, Igoli Ebi. Spokesman of the Delta State Police command, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police SP, confirmed that the monarch surrendered to them and had been transferred to the military authorities for further investigation. He said: “He turned himself in and we have handed him over.”
Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government area, is one of the over 40 communities under the rulership of the monarch in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.
The monarch was presented with the staff of office by Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in November last year and was purported to be away from his kingdom since his coronation ceremony following a legal tussle arising from his selection to the throne.
