Delta Traditional Council Suspends 16 Chiefs ln Delta

The Idjerhe Traditional Council has announced the indefinite suspension of 16 chiefs over allegations of insubordination, sacrilege, maladministration and financial impropriety.

The decision was made public yesterday during a press briefing by the Crown Otota of the Great Idjerhe Kingdom, Chief Uzzi Onosia James Obriki, on behalf of Udurhie I, the Ovie of the Great Idjerhe Kingdom and the Idjerhe Traditional Council.

According to the council, the crisis escalated during activities marking the 5th coronation anniversary last week.

Chief Ojariafe was accused of instructing chiefs under the Idjerhe Central Oguedion to boycott the celebration, an action the council described as “a sacrilege and a profound disrespect to the throne.”

Chief Obriki further disclosed that invitations for the anniversary dispatched on January 8, 2026, were sent to the three Oguedions of the kingdom—Idjerhe Central, Onyobru and Boboroku.

While the latter two accepted, Chief Ojariafe allegedly rejected the invitation addressed to the Idjerhe Central Oguedion on the grounds that it referenced the “Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Kingdom,” a title he claimed was inappropriate.

Clarifying the matter, the Crown Otota stated that the Idjerhe Kingdom traditionally recognises three independent Oguedions, each presided over by an Unugbrogodo (Duke) who remains subordinate to the Ovie for administrative purposes.

The council said what prompted the press briefing was intelligence received suggesting that Chief Ojariafe intended to instruct the Chief Priest (Ojada) of Idjerhe Central to conduct a community festival without royal approval.

“The King is the sole custodian and supreme authority of Idjerhe traditions,” Chief Obriki emphasized, noting that the fixing of dates for all traditional ceremonies is a royal function carried out at the palace in the presence of all chiefs, including the Iyasere (Crown Otota).

The Council also accused Chief Ojariafe of consistently refusing, since February 2025, to submit a list of palace chiefs from Idjerhe Central Oguedion as required by tradition. While Onyobru and Boboroku Oguedions complied, Idjerhe Central allegedly did not.