By Okhide Em’ya David
Hearing in the case of the State versus the Iyatsere of Warri Chief Johnson Atselege and 11 Others in the alleged murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaoghele of Kolokolo Community in Ologbo Dukedom, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State has been adjourned to March 24, 2021.
The case was adjourned because of Edo State Settlement Week for the Multi-Door Court across the State as pronounced by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Esther Edigin.
Speaking to newsmen after taking the adjournment date from the clerk of Criminal Court 4, Sapele Road, Benin City, head of the legal team to Sunny Etchie’s family, Barr. Matthew Edaghese, said the week is set aside for the Settlement Week for the Multidoor Court in Edo State.
“This week is set aside for the Settlement Week for the Multi-Door Court across Edo State by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esther Edigin, so it is an exercise that is involving lawyers and the judiciary in the state”.
He said: “by Nature of this development, the court could not sit today, 18th day of March, 2021 and the case has consequently be adjourned to the 24th day of March, 2021 for further hearing. Hopefully, at the next adjournment date, we expect the court to sit and hearing shall continue in earnest.”
When asked why the multiple adjournment of cases in Nigeria judicial system, Barr. Edaghese said, “The Settlement Week is part of the judicial process, (the Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR), it is furtherance to the Enhancement of Justice disposition in a seamless manner. It is not a clause on the will progress, it is a facilitating addition to the process.”
The Defendants’ offence contravened Sections 516, 327 and 316 (1) punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Act , Cap C38, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2 (2) punishable under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2013 of Edo State.
It would be recalled that, the lead suspects in the murder of the Okhaighele of Kolokolo Community, Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Mr. Sunny Etchie, identified as Mr. Oritsemisan Kaka was said to have been on the run since June last year after the victim was killed and buried.
He was arrested by men of the Edo State Police Anti-kidnapping and cyber crime unit in an attempt to kidnapp someone at the Kolokolo Community recently.
He appeared at the State High Court, Criminal Court 1 presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba on Tuesday, 16th day of March, 2021.
Eleven persons are currently standing trial over the murder case including the Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atseleghe.
