The history of Benin up to the end of the second period is a mine of events full of colour and mystery as well as numerous ups and downs. It is one long story of kings, queens, princes, chiefs, warriors, magicians, witches and community leaders either pursuing their personal ambitions or helping to strengthen the powers of the monarchy through their actions. It is one of occasional visits by European explorers, traders and missionaries bringing new things to the empire. Rebellions, civil wars, and human sacrifices were also well known. But none of these events destroyed the power of the monarchy around which everything in the empire revolved. Neither did any of these events destroy the independence of the people which facilitated their world acclaimed achievements. But the late nineteen century British intervention and conquest of the empire was to change all these.

OBA OVONRAMWEN NOGBAISI AND THE BRITISH COLONIAL INVADERS
Prince Idugbowa who as the eldest son of Oba Adolo ascended the throne in 1888 and took the title Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. He was the last independent king of Benin Empire. Shortly after his installation, there were some executions of title holders implicated in usurpation plot and assassination. This could have caused recriminations and distrust among some of the title holders making it difficult for them to properly counsel the Oba. More so, some psychic telepathic spells were cast by those executed and this would have had their own implication.

In March 1892, the British imperialist agent Vice-Consul H.L. Galway came calling. He came to negotiate a protection treaty with the Oba and chiefs of Benin empire. The clauses and demands of the treaty were to all intent and purposes against the continued independence of the empire. Also, they were intended to limit the power and authority of the Oba and chiefs in the affairs of the empire. Considering the political distrust between some of the chiefs and the Oba, it was possible for some of them to have known the implications of the treaty, but they did not advise the Oba properly. In the end, although the Oba did not sign the treaty but asks one of his chief to do so without knowing the implication. As a result, he could not honour the treaty. Instead, he just kept it in his palace. The British on the other hand could not enforce the implementation immediately because they were busy resolving some other problems with the Itsekiri chiefs.

It was only in 1896 that the British interest in the implementation of the treaty with Benin was revived by the new Consul General Sir Ralph Moor. He was bent on taking action to bring Benin Empire into the British colonial territories. He mounted pressure on the foreign office lo allow him take Benin by force, remove the Oba and replace him with chiefs to work on British Colonial terms. The Foreign Office and the colonial office were slow to action and preached caution. Sir Ralph Moor went on leave in November 1896 with the intention and hope of influencing the Foreign and Colonial offices to approve his recommendation for the invasion of Benin.

Moor was relieved by Acting Vice Consul Phillips who was more zealous about the invasion of Benin. He sent a new request to the foreign and colonial office for permission to invade Benin and establish British rule. He even recommended financing the expedition from the sale of the treasuries that would be looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin. The Foreign Office replied that he should stay action on the matter. He then requested to visit Benin to remind the Oba to abide by the treaty. The Foreign Office sent his request to Sir Moor for his comments, since he was still on leave. Sir Moor was not happy with Phillip’s attempt to take the initiative from him, so he was slow in sending his comments.

Acting Commissioner Philips did not wait for the reply from the Foreign Office before preceding lo Benin Empire. He arrived Ughoton with nine Europeans and two hundred and eight carriers and sent messenger to inform Oba Ovonramwen that he was on his way to Benin to see him. The Oba sent a reply that he was observing the Ague festival and could not receive visitors at that time, but he could wait until after Festival.

Oba Ovonramwen then summoned a full council meeting with his chiefs who included war commanders to take a decision on Philips intended visit. The reason for this meeting was because the government of Benin Empire since the reign of Oba Ewedo has been a democratic government with the Oba and his Ogbe (palace) chiefs one side and the chiefs of Ore (Representing the town and peoples of the district) on the other side acting as opposition. Hence the Oba needed the participation of all the chiefs in taking this important and crucial decision. But in all governments in every culture, there are bound to be mischief-makers who mislead the government by their words and actions that result in disaster. The consequence of such disasters is in the end heaped at the doorsteps or borne on the shoulders of the leader of government, while the mischief makers or misleaders go scot-free to enjoy their crumbs of office. Such was to be the situation in Benin when the issue of Philips’ visit was to be decided.

In the council meeting, Oba Ovonramwen briefed his chiefs on Philips intended visit. He told them that if Vice-Consul Phillips rejects his advice and insists on visiting he should be allowed to come peacefully. Also the meeting with him should be peaceful. Some of the chiefs replied that the coming of Phillips meant war and the military commanders were capable of dealing with the Whiteman and the war that will follow. All the arguments put up by Oba Ovonramwen were of no consequence. The military leaders like the Iyase, the Ologbosere and others bent on war with the white men believed that the war will be contained. But the Ezomo a military leader and very few chiefs were in favour of the Oba’s position. Oba Ovonramwen in the end told everybody not to go and kill the white men. The council meeting ended in disarray.

On 41h January, Vice-Consul Phillips and his party left Ughoton for Benin City. They were not well armed except for some few pistols. Between Ughoton and Benin, they were met by the military commanders who were on guard. The White men were all killed except for Locke and Boisragon who skilfully escaped into the forest. This incident had grievous consequences for Benin Empire as it in one fell swoop removed the Oba and put an end to the glory and independence of Benin Empire.

THE BRJTISH CONQUEST AND THE END OF INDEPENDENCE OF BENIN EMPIRE

The news of the massacre of British Consular agents by Benin war commanders reached Oba Ovonramwen immediately. He felt sorry for what has happened. But as the Oba and head of government, he had to do what needed to be done. It was obvious to them that the outcome of this incident was war and they had to prepare. Oba Ovonramwen summoned a full council meeting where the military commanders owned up their action. The military leaders were very confident that they will be able to crush the British retaliatory force that would come. They then decided on what should be done. Firstly Ovonramwen tried desperately to buy more guns and ammunitions, but the British had since placed embargo on sale of arm s since 1884. He then ordered the Ewaise, Ebo and other guilds of diviners, priests and so on to organise sacrifices to appease the gods as well as to turn the war in the favour of Benin. There were a lot of sacrifices of human beings, animals and other items which littered the various shrines and streets of the city. The military leaders mobilised their troops and deployed them to the various areas from which the invasion was expected. But the government and its army had two major defects. Some of the chiefs were not sincere with Oba Ovonramwen. Secondly their firepower (arms and ammunitions) were small and insufficient compared with those of the British invaders. What they lacked in firepower, they had in excellent tactics, bravery and loyalty to their Edo land.

Information on the massacre reached Britain while Consul Moor was still writing his comments. The British press went to town with sensational headlines and hate inspiring reports to whip up sentiments against Benin Empire. One such stigma that almost got stuck to Benin was the appellation - THE CITY OF BLOOD. But such a description is false and sheer propaganda inspired by the war hysteria of the time. Consul General Moor who has since been looking for an opportunity to invade Benin saw this incident as God sent chance to achieve his dream. It was like giving Benin Empire to him on a platter of gold. He quickly abandoned his leave and sailed to his Niger Coast protectorate office. A Military task force was quickly set up drawn from the Cape, Mediterranean squadron, marines from England and carriers from Sierra Leone, and Gold Coast. They were joined by the protectorate force and were well armed with machine guns, rockets and lots of rifles. They invaded the empire from three fronts and the Benin troops were everywhere and in larger numbers too. But the British Maxim Gun and Rockets finished the war. For the first time since 601 A.D. foreign troops invaded and conquered Benin Empire. The capital city was captured, burnt and looted. Oba Ovonramwen left the city, but later surrendered to the British officials. Sir Ralph Moor hurriedly arraigned him before a court where he was both Prosecutor and Judge. Some of the chiefs were pronounced guilty and executed. Oba Ovonramwen was deported to Calabar where he joined his ancestors and was buried in 1914.

In his place, the British appointed some chiefs who were obviously pro British. They took instructions from the British officials and did only their bidding. Some of the vassal tribute paying areas seized the opportunity to assert their independence, while those that remained loyal to Benin Empire were encouraged by the British officials to sever their relations. Benin Empire lost its territories of Lagos, Ijebu, Ondo, Ado Ekiti, Akure, Kukuruku, Ishan, Agbor and so on. The British restricted the jurisdiction of the chiefs to an area they called Benin division which is made up of present day Oredo, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwonde, Ovia North East and Ovia South West Local Government areas. They also redirected the trade routes and trade that formerly poured into Benin Empire to the coastal ports. Even after the monarchy was restored and Oba Eweka II installed in 1914, the British officials did not allow the Oba to exercise his full powers and authority. His area of jurisdiction was likewise restricted to Benin division. Thus ended the independence of Benin and its monarchy. Since then, the Oba became dependent on the Government of Nigeria for his power and authority. What was left of the powers and authority of the Oba was contested by the nationalists and politicians until a role was found for the Obas and chiefs in the then House of Chiefs in the Western Region and later Midwestern Region. Oba Akenzua II who reigned from 1933 to 1978 was a minister without portfolio in the then western Region where he was also a member of House of Chiefs. He was chairman of the House of Chiefs of Midwest Region before the military takeover of 1966 which abolished the House of Chiefs. Since then a political role is yet to be found for the Obas and chiefs, by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But the subjects of the Oba still attach a lot of importance to their Monarch. Hence they have remained loyal and supportive of the Oba. After Oba Akenzua joined his ancestors in 1978, his eldest son was installed with the title Oba Erediauwa, Uku Akpolokpolo.

THE OBA AND CHIEFS IN PRESENT DAY EDO SOCIETY
The Oba and chiefs still play an important role in the life of the Edo people. They are still very much responsible for the maintenance of peace among the Edo people. The Oba and his chiefs perform this duty through the Benin traditional Council, which is made up of the Oba and his chiefs. The Benin traditional council is recognised by the Government and gazetted. The council regulates the activities of me chiefs, arbitrates in disputes as well as helping the government in the maintenance of peaceful relations with the citizens in the Oba’s domain. Members of the council meet virtually everyday in the Oba’s palace after the chiefs have paid their usual daily homage to the Oba. But it is not all the chiefs that participate in the Benin traditional council meetings. It is the Uzama N’lhinron, the senior grades of the Eghaevbo N’Ogbe (Palace chiefs) and the Eghaevbo N’Ore (Town chiefs) and some Enigie (Village heads) that participate in the Council. When there are very important issues to be discussed, letters are sent out in advance to these council chiefs by the Secretary.

Every village & town outside Benin City also has its own council headed by the Enogie (Hereditary village head) or the Odionwere (Oldest man in the village). In the community with an Enogie, the council is made up of the Enogie and his chiefs namely the Oliha, lyase, Edohen, Ezomo, Esogban, Esama and so on. Whereas in the community with an Odionwere, the council is made up of the Odionwere and the, four or five eldest men in the community known as Edion (Elders council). The Ohen (Priests) are also members of the Edion. These village or town councils perform the same functions as the Benin Traditional Council at the grassroots level. They are also the link between the people at the grassroots and the Oba as well as the Benin Traditional Council. They are very active and efficient in the performance of their duties.