By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A Benin High Court, has adjourned a case of kidnapping and murder against the Iyatsere of Warri, Johnson Atseleghe, to November 11th 2020.
Atseleghe is the Iyatsere of Warri and leader of Itsekiri in oil-rich Ologbo Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The defendant and 11 others are being tried on a count charge bothering on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo community.
Others are: Felicia Otikpere, female, 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 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) and punishable under section 3 of the Kidnapping prohibition (Amendment) Law , 2013 of Edo State.
The case which was in criminal Court 1 was resigned to criminal Court 4 due to the alleged position of Justice Efe Ikponmwonba,
At the sitting on Wednesday, the accused, Johnson Atseleghe was present in court.
The Presiding Judge, however adjourned the case to November, 11th, 2020. for preliminary hearing.
Speaking, the lawyer holding brief for the complainant, Matthew Edaghe , said the judge has to adjourn the case because of the present crisis in the country which led to the breaking of the Correctional Centres in Benin City. Some of the suspects who escaped from the correctional centres we’re returned back to the centres by their families.