SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the Olu of Warri had been invited by the Delta State Police Command following a petition allegedly written against the monarch.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reportedly tendered an unreserved apology to Delta State first-class monarch, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, over an invitation to question him regarding alleged cases of attempted murder, assault and others.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the Olu of Warri had been invited by the Delta State Police Command following a petition allegedly written against the monarch.
However, SaharaReporters could not ascertain if the monarch honoured the invitation or not.
Reacting to the invitation by the police, the prominent traditional ruler, who spoke to SaharaReporters through his palace secretary, Kenneth Uyebi, said the invitation was the handwork of some miscreants and disgruntled elements in the Itsekiri nation.
According to the palace scribe, the Warri Area commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abubakar, has tendered an unreserved apology to the Olu of Warri.
He said, "The very next day, the Area Commander called to apologize to the palace that the letter of invitation on his majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri was sent in error but I also advised him to cause a letter of retrieval to that effect. His Majesty is law-abiding and encourages all his subjects to be law-abiding.
“If there was an invitation as you said, His Majesty would have honoured it but the Area Command has withdrawn the one they sent in error and has not sent another letter as we speak.
"It is also on record that that very weekend, the Warri Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abubakar, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, personally came to the palace after his phone calls, to personally tender an unreserved apology to His Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, that the letter was sent in error and therefore withdrawn.
“He informed the monarch that after investigations, it was discovered that the monarch had been dragged into what he knew nothing about. We are not saying the Olu of Warri is above the law, he was prepared to honour the invitation but as at the time the letter came, he was not in town."
The invitation letter obtained by SaharaReporters and titled "Police Investigation Letter: Re: Case Of Attempted Murder, Assault Occasioning Harm, Malicious Damage And Conduct Likely To Cause Breach Of Peace", signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abubakar, Warri Area Command headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Warri, Delta State, said the petition was being investigated.
The letter read, “This office is investigating the aforementioned case reported at the Area Command Headquarters, Warri, sequel to a petition dated 11th of March, 2024. With due respect your Majesty, it is requested with high esteem for you to have a meeting with the Area Commander on Wednesday 13th day of March, 2024. Your usual cooperation and response to the invitation will be highly honoured please.”
Also reacting to the police invitation letter to the Olu of Warri and recent attacks on Okere community, the Chairman of Okere Community Management Committee/Planning Committee, Ugwa Olu, Fred Olomuro, in a statement, noted that an attack was carried out on the monarch during his visit to the area.
He identified the attackers as a group of recalcitrant people loyal to a former chief.
Also, two prominent Warri chiefs from Okere community, Koffi Kartey and Wilson Olley confirmed that during the attacks, the entourage of the Olu of Warri was attacked by youths loyal to one of the sons of the soil.
“As part of His Majesty’s schedule of visits across the communities in his domain, on the 2nd day of March, 2024, the Olu of Warri paid a visit to the community in a very well publicized program of events attended by teeming sons and daughters of the community as well as Itsekiris from all walks of life.
"All the Chiefs of Okere extraction led by Chief E.F. Ẹsisi, the Olaraja of Okere (alias Ogiẹboro), Chief Kofi Kartey, the Abolujiyan of Warri Kingdom (alias Ebirẹnẹgbo), Chief Edwin Eyitemi Olley, the Agbaramẹ of Warri Kingdom (alias Éni), Chief (Mrs.) Esther Okotie-Ẹboh, the Iye of Warri Kingdom (Alias Ẹsilokun-ojimẹ), Chief Engr. Dr. Wilson Edun Olley, the Aboludero of Warri Kingdom and Pa Amorighoye witnessed the rebellion to our chagrin.
"The attack on the Olu of Warri and his entourage started when His Majesty stepped into the Okere Community town hall for prayers. This set of rebellious individuals resisted the Olu from entering the town hall; they punched several people in the face as a prelude to attacking them with stones, cutlasses, chairs, guns and other dangerous weapons in an attempt to scare back the Olu. I had to guide the Ogieboro and Pa Amorighoye away from the violent scene because of their age.”