Olu Of Warri: ‘Palace Has No Hand In Declaring Princes Wanted’

Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Olu of
Warri, Prince Yemi Emiko, clarified this on Tuesday.

The wanted princes are sons of demised Olu of Warri, His Majesty
Ogiame Ikenwoli.

Emiko said the issue of missing crowns is a criminal matter,
which requires the police to do their jobs.

The Police Criminal Investigation Department, Zone ‘5’
Headquarters in Benin city, Edo state, on Monday declared the
princes wanted for allegedly “breaking into the secret apartment of
the Olu of Warri and stealing” the centuries-old crowns.

Prince Emiko, who is uncle to the Olu-designate, ‘Tsola Emiko
and the “wanted princes”, pointed out they may not have been
declared wanted if they had honoured an invitation by the
police.

He stated that the missing crowns and other royal artifacts are
under the care of the palace authorities, including the traditional
chiefs, hence the need for the matter to be thoroughly
investigated.

“They (unknown persons) broke into the strong room and stole the
crowns and some other royal artifacts. We went to the police to say
this is what we have seen and a lot of persons were invited. I was
invited.

“If there are some persons the police invited and they refused
to go… We are not the ones to teach the police their job. The
palace has no hand in the matter.

“I believe maybe if they show up and are interrogated like some
of us, they (police) would let them go. This is a criminal matter,”
he said.

Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Olu of
Warri, Prince Yemi Emiko, clarified this on Tuesday.

The wanted princes are sons of demised Olu of Warri, His Majesty
Ogiame Ikenwoli.

Emiko said the issue of missing crowns is a criminal matter,
which requires the police to do their jobs.

The Police Criminal Investigation Department, Zone ‘5’
Headquarters in Benin city, Edo state, on Monday declared the
princes wanted for allegedly “breaking into the secret apartment of
the Olu of Warri and stealing” the centuries-old crowns.

Prince Emiko, who is uncle to the Olu-designate, ‘Tsola Emiko
and the “wanted princes”, pointed out they may not have been
declared wanted if they had honoured an invitation by the
police.

He stated that the missing crowns and other royal artifacts are
under the care of the palace authorities, including the traditional
chiefs, hence the need for the matter to be thoroughly
investigated.

“They (unknown persons) broke into the strong room and stole the
crowns and some other royal artifacts. We went to the police to say
this is what we have seen and a lot of persons were invited. I was
invited.

“If there are some persons the police invited and they refused
to go… We are not the ones to teach the police their job. The
palace has no hand in the matter.

“I believe maybe if they show up and are interrogated like some
of us, they (police) would let them go. This is a criminal matter,”
he said.