By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—SEVEN months after his ordination as Catholic Archbishop of Benin Cosmopolitan See, Most Rev. Augustine Akubueze can now heave a sigh of relief in his apostolic duties as the Benin Liturgical Group, BLG, yesterday, withdrew its suit challenging his ordination.

BLG, represented by 95-year-old Pa Osakue Vincent, among others, had instituted suit number B/286/2011 at a Benin High Court, challenging the appointment of Rev. Fr. Akubueze as arch- bishop on April 28, alleging discrimination in his selection ahead of other qualified indigenous priests.

Counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Charles Edosomwan(SAN), told the presiding Judge, Justice S. Aigbokie that the group decided to withdraw the case due to the intervention of the Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

He said the Benin monarch sued for peace and brotherhood among the Benin Catholics as preached by the Lord Jesus Christ.

, even as he maintained that the appointment of Archbishop Akubueze had caused the Benin community a lot of concern and anxiety. He had described the issue as a matter that touched the core of Benin values within the Catholic faithful, leading to increased tension in Benin polity.

He said: “In spite of the pain that may have been caused by the appointment, we want this case withdrawn and both sides become involved in a serious cause of rapport with a view to bringing the Catholic faith together again.”