By IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The case involving Chief Johnson Atsetuleghe, the Iyatsere of Warri and 8 Others for the alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okaeghele of Kolokolo Community, in Ologbo Dukedom, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, has been adjourned to 18th,for continuous hearing and 25th for ruling on the trail against trail.
At today’s hearing, the continuation of the defense trial against trial of the 1st defendant, Oluwa Esimijie 2nd statement came up.
The state counsel ,Osasu Ewemade took the 1st defendant, Oluwa Esimijie
on his 2nd statement which he denied making to the Police.
On whether he , Oluwa Esimijie made the second statement , he said no, but admitted that he signed the statement and thumb printed under duress.
The 1st defendant also confirmed that the 2nd statement was not recorded the same day the first one was recorded.
“I signed and thumb printed the 2nd statement under duress, after I was seriously beaten by the IPO, Marvelous Otoide and his team.
The state counsel Osasu Ewemade closed her case on the cross examination of the 1st defendant on the trial against trial on his 2nd statement.
Having concluded the cross examination, both counsel agreed on a date for adoption of their statements.
The trial Judge, Honourable Justice Mary Ituseli, thereafter adjourned to 25th of March 2022 for ruling on the trail against trail on the 1st defendant 2nd statement.
Oluwa Esimaje had denied being the maker.
Ruling, the Presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Mary Ituseli, ruled that the 1st defendant statement be admitted as exhibit T1 , as it is the true statement of the 1st defendant, Oluwa Esimijie.
Meanwhile, the additional statement made by the 1st defendant Oluwa Esimijie, was also tendered by the state counsel, Mrs Osasu Ewemande.
PW 3, Police Sargeant Marvelous Otoide , attach to Cyber Crime Unit, Edo State Police Command adopt his statement.
The 1st defendant Counsel, 0. T. Okeke objected to the admissibility of had denied being the maker.
Ruling, the Presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Mary Ituseli, ruled that the 1st defendant statement be admitted as exhibit T1 , as it is the true statement of the 1st defendant, Oluwa Esimijie.
Meanwhile, the additional statement made by the 1st defendant Oluwa Esimijie, was also tendered by the state counsel, Mrs Osasu Ewemande.
PW 3, Police Sargeant Marvelous Otoide , attach to Cyber Crime Unit, Edo State Police Command adopt his statement.
The 1st defendant Counsel, 0. T. Okeke objected to the admissibility of the additional statement, saying that his client was made to sign under duress.
Okeke argued that the statement was taken under duress, hence admisbly will not help the case. He urge the court to throw away the additional statement additional statement, saying that his client was made to sign under duress.
Okeke argued that the statement was taken under duress, hence admisbly will not help the case.He urge the court to throw away the additional statement
Chief Johnson Atsetuleghe,
the Iyasere of Warri and 8 Others are currently being arraigned in the Edo State High Court Court 4 (Criminal Division) for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okaeghele of Kolokolo Community in Ologbo Dukedom.
All the 8 Accused Persons including, The Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atseleghe, Felicia Otikpere, female – 55; Oluwa Esimije – 38; Monday Iluwa – 58; Ayokotse Robinson – 54; Nosa Omoregie – 54; Mofe Samuel – 40; Magnanimous Omawumi – 40; Ayuwa Mofe – 65, Amerete Ejiro – 25, Onyeburutan Jeffrey – 25 and Benjamin Erewa – 39 were in Court.
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… Continue reading