The Oba (king) of Benin is reportedly Oba Erediauwa, Uku Akpolokpolo (Post Express Wired 6 Aug. 1999; ibid., 11 Apr. 1998; Tempo 29 Sept. 2001). The following information about the Oba of Benin and his palace is extracted from Tempo of 29 September 2001.

Oba Eredauwa of Benin is the 35th king of Benin kingdom to be staying at the palace of Omo Noba Nedo Duku Akpolokpolo...Access to the palace of Omo, Noba in Benin is only through the Adezogbe (former Plymouth) road, behind the first head office of the rejuvenated New Nigeria Bank...the palace cannot have two entrances. There are however, several exits relevant to times and seasons in Bini History. The palace is said to be one of the first living testimonies of "powers" of the Oba. Located in what is referred to as the Kings Square heartland, its northern bounday is the square or Unuogua, on the south by Ogbe-Ezoyi, the East by Ogbe N Alaka and west by Ekiokpagha (Sokponba) (29 Sept. 2001).

The palace...is the home of the Oba. He sleeps there, his wifes and children live there. It is the seat of his reign and hallmark of his influence. The Oba can sleep elsewhere outside the palace, only when he is out of Benin. Only an Oba who is tired of the throne would dare sleep outside his palace (ibid.).

Today, the Oba's palace in its present location, has the royal courtyard, comprising the fence surrounding it, the Ugherhoba (Hall of departed Obas) Ugha Ehengbuda and Uga Ohuan. There is the mystery 'Iwowa' a lonely house on the west side at the entrance into the palace gates. There are several designated rooms which members of the public can never enter or can be permitted to enter...those who strayed there never stayed around to tell their stories. These rooms or halls include Ugha Ibuwe Iwori, Ugha N'Iwegua, Ugha Ewase and Iweoghem. There are others.

Erie is the part of the palace where the Iloi (Oba's wives) live. About 10 quarters exist here with doors which are guarded day and night by Ogherie Noguan (Eunuchs). The crown prince (Edaiken) is never allowed to enter this area of the palace but Princes (Okoros) can, when they are younger. Princesses (Uvbis) do not need permits to visit their mothers here.

Ughereroba Iwures, the ancestral shrine of all departed Obas. Tusks, bronzes, wood carvings dating back to the 11th century adorn this hall, reputed to be the largest in the palace. (Aro-Enikao) is the room where the (Ukhune) the traditional staff of the Oba is kept. It is the venue for the traditional marriages of all Uvbis. The palace in addition to being the home of the Oba, is also home to the Iloi (his wives), Omada Iloi (Queen attendants), Okoros (Princes Uvbis Princess). Emads (Royal scimitar bearers), Ibierughas (Oba's personal assistants) and Urhonisen (His outdoor messengers).

No reports on the palace of Egua Edaiken and whether or not Iserhienrhien Edorisaigbon was Ogunoba (king's sorcerer) of Benin could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Note, however, that the term Edaiken is identified in the above excerpt as synonymous with "crown prince."

According to The News, "Benin Kingdom today covers the seven local government areas of Edo, namely Egor, Oredo, Ikpoba-Oleha, Uhunmwoade, Orhionwon, Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West. The Oba is the paramount ruler over the kingdom which is politically, the Edo South senatorial district." (16 Apr. 2001). In January 2000, the News reported that during the last Igue Festival, when Oba Erediauwa, normally makes sacrifices and offers prayers to the ancestors for the continued peace and progress of his 'kingdom, ' he sent the traditional leg and tail of a cow to Onogie of Egor (The News 24 Jan. 2000).

According to The New Encyclopedia Britannica, in the 16th century, the Oba became the supreme political, judical, economic, and spiritual leader of his people, he and his ancestors enventually became the object of state cults that utilized human sacrifice in their religious observance...the practice of human sacrifice was stamped out only after the burning of Benin City in 1897 by the British after which the depopulated and debilitated kingdom was incorportated into British Nigeria...the descendants of Benin's ruling dynasty still occupy the throne in Benin City (although the present-day oba has only an advisory role" (1989, 102).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

The New Encyclopedia Britannica. Micropedia. 1989. No. 4. Vol. 2. "Benin."

The News [Lagos]. 16 April 2001. "Nigeria: Incurring the Oba's Wrath." (NEXIX)

_____. 24 January 2000. Victor Ofure Osehobo. "Nigeria: The Royal Battle." (NEXIS)

Post Express Wired [Benin]. 11 April 1998. Imafidon Ehimen "Royal Fathers Worried Over Transition ---Erediuwa." http://www.postexpresswired.com/postex...fa5ddlc9c6852566b200048523?OpenDocument [Accessed: 18 Jan. 2001]

_____. 6 August 1999. Joseph Aimienmwona. "Obasogie Sure of Positive Changes in Edo." http://www.postexpresswired.com/postexp...1db05fla6c8525678a0009f2eb?Open Document [Accessed: 18 Jan. 2001]

Tempo. 29 September 2001. "Nigeria: Mysteries of the Oba's Palace." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Issues.

Amnesty International.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000. 2001. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.

IRB Databases. LEXIS/NEXIS

Keesing's Record of World Events.

NEXIS

West Africa

Internet sites including:

All Africa

The Guardian

Human Rights Watch

Nigeria Commerce

Nigeria News

Post Express

Search engines including:

Google

Mamma