The Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Andrew Adaze Emwanta, has publicly honoured Ehimare Erewele, also known as “Double Chief,” for slapping Albert Obazee, a UK-based critic of the Edo State Government and the Oba of Benin’s Palace over the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.

In a video posted online, Emwanta defended the assault, calling the slap a “weapon” to correct indiscipline and bad behaviour. He insisted that Obazee is a criminal who should return to Nigeria to face alleged offences and accused him and his associates of defrauding the Edo State Government of over ₦10 billion.

Emwanta stated, “They should be slapping them every day… It’s only an animal that will insult a king.” He described the physical assault as well-deserved, claiming it silenced Obazee’s alleged online insults.

The incident has sparked further controversy as senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, including Patrick Aisowieren, Rt. Hon. Osamwonyi Evbaguehita Atu, and Hon. Gabriel Iduseri, reportedly celebrated and financially rewarded Erewele during a meet-and-greet in Manchester, UK. Donations of ₦500,000 and ₦300,000 were publicly pledged to the man who committed the assault.

Critics have condemned the act as a dangerous endorsement of violence against dissenters and an attack on freedom of expression.