By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended the Ohenosa (Chief Priest) of Holy Arousa Cathedral, Harrison Okao, for unauthorised ministration.

Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Frank Irabor, in a statement yesterday, said Okao’s suspension followed recommendations from the Joint Elders’ Committee of the cathedral and some senior chiefs of the palace.

Irabor said Okao’s suspension was predicated upon long-standing lingering breach and his non-charlatan attitude over many years and age-long customs and traditions.

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He noted that the suspension would further bring peace and sanity to worship at the Holy Arousa Cathedral, Benin.

The statement reads: “The decision is expected to bring lasting peace, sanity and tranquillity to the holy spiritual environment that is imperative in the Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin, which has hitherto been absent, because of the non-compliance with traditions and customs by Harrison Okao.”

Okao was asked to stop parading himself as Ohenosa and hand over property of the cathedral, including the keys, to Esere, and to desist from operating the cathedral’s bank account.