Libel, intellectual theft:  High Priest Ebohon Demands Retraction, Apology From Monday Edo

Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin

High Priest Osenwegie Ebohon of the Ebohon Cultural Centre,  has accused one Monday Igbinidu Edo of stealing his intellectual work, titled, 'Ovonramwen n’Ogbaisi.'

High Priest Ebohon at a press conference in Benin City explained that Monday Edo was only hired and paid salary as a guitarist to perform with his troupe, ahead of a proposed tour to the United State of America which was later aborted.

According to High Priest Ebohon, Monday Edo was engaged on a monthly salary, but was later discovered to fall short of expectations.

 

In a rejoinder by his counsel, Osagie Obayuwana  to Monday  Edo dated August 8, 2023, Ebohon called on Monday Edo to within seven days retract his claim during the television programme and apologize for claiming ownership of the musical work  Ovonramwen n’Ogbaisi.'

Ebohon noted that Monday Edo during the programme had referred to him as a 'Marketer, not a musician or songwriter,' who had not only exploited him, but in fact robbed him.

The rejoinder which was titled," Your libellous Comments Published Worldwide Via Independent Television Concerning High Priest Osemwegie Ebohon: A Demand For Retraction and Apology," High Priest Ebohon said that, "In 1997, I promised to add you to his 'Ebohon Theatre Troupe,' then scheduled for a tour in America which according to you, discovered that it was a trick.

"In that program, you were seen and heard to speak on the topic 'Why Shallipoppi must compensate me,'  which you claimed copyright over the musical work titled, ‘Ovonramwen n'Ogbaisi’, which you said had been violated by the said artist. 

"You claimed that he asked you to compose the song ‘Ovonramwen n’Ogbais,' and that he provided members of the troupe, who according to you numbered as many as 48 persons, who you said chorused the song. 

"You also claimed that our Client, who you refused to mention by name, had sent you to named personalities for purposes of your becoming more acquainted with the story of the subject matter of the song, Oba Ovonramwen n’Ogbaisi, Oba of Benin. 

"You further claimed that after several rehearsals and mastering, our Client arranged for a videotaped performance of the song at Ebohon Cultural Centre here in Benin City, before a distinguished audience, which you said included amongst other persons, the former Govemnor of Bendel State, Brigadier General Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who you said was very impressed.

" You said our Client “greedily” kept the videotape and later booked a studio where the song was recorded and later released in cassette form into the music market. You concluded that our Client failed to take you to America, and that he sent you away without paying you, and once again, that he in fact 'robbed' you. 

"You claimed ownership of the copyright over the song but said that you could not at that time assert same because as you put it, he, our Client, was “bigger” than you

"It was your conclusion that even though you preferred not to mention him by name categorically, everybody in Benin knows who you were talking about. 

" Clearly, by the words you used in describing the person whose name you omitted to mention, it is correct that everybody knows that the person you spoke about is our Client, the world famous High Priest Osemwegie Ebohon, the cultural icon, founder of Ebohon Cultural Group, Ebohon Cultural Research Centre and Ebohon International Theatre Troupe. 

"In the private sector, you know that in 1996/1997, he was the mastermind of the cultural commemoration of the Centenary of the arrest and deportation of Oba Ovonramwen n'Ogbaisi by the British Colonialists in the year 1897.

" The fact that you vainly claimed copyright over a concept you knew he conceived, developed, nurtured, participated in the performance of which, along with over 75 persons, out of which you were but one (who was paid for your services), and which project High Priest Osemwegie Ebohon exclusively funded, is to say the least, mind-boggling. We shall on his behalf revisit your claim of ownership of the copyright as the occasion warrants, in due season. 

"We demand that you cause it to be removed from YouTube, your offensive publication, and on the same program, “Break-Time Show” on Independent Television, you - publish a retraction of these highly libellous words and apologize through the same medium within the 7 days next following your receipt of this letter; both of which you should also place on YouTube, unless it is your preference that these issues be presented to a Court of Law without further reference to you.

"It is for this reason that this letter is being copied to the Management of Independent Television who lent their airwaves to you in facilitation of the injury you have caused our Client, High Priest Osemwegie Ebohon," the rejoinder stated.