By Okhide Em’ya David.
Hearing in the case of alleged Murder between Edo State Government and Chief Johnson Atseleghe and 7 others on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community in Ologbo Dukedom, Sunny Etchie could not commence again on Wednesday November 11, 2020, as scheduled.
The case was adjourned in the last sitting to the disappointment of the Complainants and other key interest Parties. The Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atseleghe was however docked at the Criminal Court 4, Aiguobasimwin, presided over by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele.
Chief Johnson Atseleghe is the Iyatsere of Warri and leader of Itsekiri in oil-rich Ologbo Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The 1st defendant, Chief Johnson Atseleghe and 7 Others are being arraigned on a count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo community, in suite number B/co/717m/20.
The 7 other defendants are, Felicia Otikpere, 55; Oluwa Esimije, 38; Monday Iluwa, 58; Ayokotse Robinson, 54; Nosa Omoregie, 54; Mofe Samuel, 40; Magnanimous Omawumi, 40; Ayuwa More, 65; Amerete Ejiro, 25; Onyeburutan Jeffrey, 25 and Benjamin Erewa, 39.
The offence contravened Sections 324 ) punishable under the Criminal Code Act , Cap C38, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004, and Section 2 (2) and punishable under section 3 of 00 prohibition (Amendment) Law , 2013 of Edo State.
The presiding Judge, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele adjourned the case to 18th and 19th of November respectively.
Counsel to the Plaintiffs , Barrister Mathew Edeghese, while speaking with Journalists after the sitting said “although a Production warrant had been issued to officers of the Correctional Facility in Benin to produce the other 7 Suspects in Prison so that the trial can Start but unfortunately the Prison Authorities through their Comptroller said they got security or intelligent reports as the court told them, that it was not safe to produce them this week “
Barrister Mathew Edaghese said consequently: ‘the Suspects will be presented next week, adding that on that basis the Court adjoined the case to the 18th and 19th of this Month.”
The Counsel said 18th is for the hearing of charges against the 7 other Suspects, while 19th is for the hearing of the case against the main suspect, the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atseleghe.
He said on a that day Counsels to the 7 defendants will file their bail applications and they will be taken and the State will also file their responses and would be heard.
The Counsel added that the 19th, of November is for the Preliminary Objection filed by learned Counsel, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN’s for it to be taken by the Court and also for the main case to commence in earnest through the taking of pleas of all the defendants .
On whether they are satisfied with the process of the prosecution, the Counsel said they were quite “at peace with it as the wheel of Justice is certainly moving but slowly, noting that at the end Justice will be served .
Barrister E E Idahosa also appeared along Mr. Edaghese holding briefs for the deceased and the Ologbo Community.Counsels to the Iyatsere of Warri, Johnson Atseleghe, kept mute on exit from the court.
It would be recalled that there was a mass protest around the court premises by the Benin Solidarity Movement( BSM), and it’s Ighele Edo Civil Defence/Security Services with citizens of Ologbo community at the commencement of sitting in October, demanding that the case be transferred to another court, as they had lost confidence in the presiding judge, justice Efe Ikponmwonba.
The Case was consequently reassigned to Justice, Ohimai Ovbiagele of the High Court, Criminal Court 4, situated at Aiguobasimwin, GRA,Benin City.
