By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN—NINE years after Prince Amen Oyakhire, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police and former Governor of Taraba and Oyo states was falsely accused by some persons in his community, Ozalla in Owan-West Local Government Area of Edo State, of being involved in prosecuting suspected witches and wizards said to be responsible for mysterious deaths in the town, the community, yesterday, apologise to Oyakhire.

The community described as “false, spurious and libelous publications in the electronic and print media” against him, insisting that Prince Oyakhire merely honoured the invitation sent to him and did not play any specific role during the meeting.

The community, in a statement by Reuben Aizenabor, Secretary to the Onotare in Council in Benin, cleared Prince Oyakhire of wrong doing, saying he was innocent and remained innocent of all the allegations made against him.

The community said: “He was falsely and wrongly accused through the uncivilised conduct of a few misguided persons, who have themselves repented in this community.”

Noting that the matter had taught the people lessons, the Ozalla community said it knows Oyakhire’s usefulness, importance and pleaded with him not to abandon the community.