OLU OF WARRI'S CORONATION TO PROCEED DESPITE STOLEN CROWN

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.

The Nigerian Police Force, Zone 5, Benin has declared two sons of the immediate past Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli Goffrey Emiko, wanted in connection with the missing royal crown of Itsekiri Kingdom.

We 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 wranted, is said to be wanted "for the offense 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, 52/1 of height" among other physical identities.

His younger brother, the 27-year old. Oamtsuli Emiko, 5.6ft in height and also a student, is wanted for the same offense 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 Atumatse, 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.