By Emeka Okafor
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse lll, has officially announced the derobing of the embattled Chief Ayiri Emami as Ologbotsere of Warri.
Atuwatse lll made the pronouncement at a ceremony held in his palace on Tuesday in Warri putting Ayiri’s four years reign as Ologbotsere, traditional prime minister, to an end.
The Itsekiri monarch also instructed his subjects and people Itsekiri Nation worldwide not to address the prominent chief as Ologbotsere.
Olu spoke while receiving some members of the Ologbotsere family led by the Olori-Ebi, Pa. Oporokun.
The traditional ruler, however, empowered the Olori-Ebi to take charge of the activities of the family till further notice.
Ayiri has earlier been suspended as Ologbotsere and chairman of the Warri Traditional Council during the process leading to the selection of Atuwatse lll as Omoba.
The embattled billionaire Itsekiri chief had opposed the emergence of the Olu on the ground that he was not qualified for the position.
The now-derobed Ologbotsere cited the 1979 Edict which stipulates the process for producing an Olu.
All through the process leading to the coronation of the newly crowned Ogiame Atuwatse lll, Ayiri did not participate being the next in hierarchy after the monarch.
