By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Hearing in the case of the State versus Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atselege and
11 others in the alleged murder of the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, in Ologbo Dukedom , Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria , Mr Sunny Etchie, has been adjourned to 31st March, 2021 for continuous hearing.
Johnson Atseleghe and 11 others are standing trial in Criminal Court 4 in Benin city on alleged case of murder, kidnapping.
The case, which is now before a new judge, Justice Mary Itsueli,
was adjourned till 31 2021 for hearing.
When the matter came up today for hearing, the Counsel to the 8th accused person , O. C Okeke brought a motion they earlier filed, to set outside the charge sheet which they have argued before the former judge.
The judge, Justice Mary Ituseli, took the motion and reserved the ruling till the 31st of April 2021.
Barrister Emmanuel Idahosa, counsel to the family of the deceased , in a chat with reporters said: “the judge has taken the motion and she has reserved the ruling till the 31st of April 2021.
Meanwhile, a Benin High Court has adjourned ruling on criminal case against two suspects, Austin Olokor and Oluwa Esimijie.
Justice Mary Itsueli, the Presiding Judge handling the case of murder and conspiracy against the duo of Austin Olokor and Oluwa Esimijie, in Criminal Court 4, Benin, has reserved ruling in the case to Wednesday, April 28th, 2021.
The learned state counsel, barrister Ewemade has brought a motion before the court to withdraw the second accused person, Oluwa Esimijie who has been in prison custody from the case, so as to enable the Police take his statement.
She stated that, when Esimijie statement is taken,he can be brought back to join the suit.
While speaking with reporters at the end of the court sitting on Wednesday morning Barrister Emmanuel Idahosa, who stood in for the plaintiffs, said the fresh angle to the investigation had to be taken to ensure that justice is well served.
“In the case of Austin Olokor against the state originally there were two suspects in the charge sheet and one of them was in prison custody at the time trial investigation was going on.
But the learned state counsel has withdrawn from one of the defendants(Oluwa Esimijie) today. That the police have to obtain his statement so that they can bring him properly before the court.
“A new charge has been filed against Austin Olokor and plea has been taken in that regard. When Esimijie’s statement has been taken then he can be brought back to join Austin Olokor in the prosecution of both of them.
“Their case has been adjourned to Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, for hearing. Plea has been taken and the hearing will commence in earnest.”
The duo of Austin Olokor and Oluwa Esimijie are standing trial for the murder of Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.End.
