The coronation of the Olu of Warri-designate, Prince Tsola Emiko on Saturday, August 21, 2021, will proceed despite the stolen crown from the palace, sources told Daily Independent on Monday.
The Nigerian Police Force, Zone 5, Benin has declared two sons of the immediate past Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, wanted in connection with the missing royal crown of Itsekiri Kingdom.
Daily Independent gathered that the two princes, Prince Onyowoli Emiko and Prince Omatsuli Emiko, were declared wanted on the allegation that they broke into the private apartment of the Olu of Warri, where they allegedly stole the ancient crown.
The duo was declared “by the Nigeria Police Force Interpol Section, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City” with a Warrants of Arrest issued against them by a Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State.
Prince Oyowoli Emiko, in the information declaring him wanted, is said to be wanted “for the offence of breaking into the secret apartment of the HRM Olu of Warri and stealing the Royal Crown”. He is said to be “a student, Itsekiri by tribe, Aged 30 years, 5.2ft of height”, among other physical identikits.
His younger brother, the 27-year old Oamtsuli Emiko, 5.6ft in height and also a student, is wanted for the same offence of breaking and stealing.
It could be recalled that following the transition of the immediate past Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, in December 2020, the palace was reportedly invaded and the 400-year-old crown and symbol of the Itsekiri monarchy were declared missing.
Ogiame’s passage had created a succession tussle in the kingdom, until Prince Tsola Emiko, the son of Olu Atuwatse, was eventually chosen as the Olu-elect.
Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, a credible source in the palace said the missing crown notwithstanding, the coronation will go ahead as scheduled.
“Arrangements are in top gear for the coronation on Saturday. Nothing will stop the occasion” he said
