By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
Hearing in the case of the State vrs Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atselege and 8 others in the alleged brutal 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 15th of October 2021.
At today’s hearing, the 1st and 2nd Public Witness ,Pw1 Benson Ayokotse and Pw 2, Inspector Isaac Ayodele concluded their evidence.
Also the bail application for the 9th defendant, Missah Kakah was held and the ruling reserved for the next adjournment date.
Arguing bail for his client, Barrister
Esite Robinson, moved a motion for the bail of Missah Kakah . He prayed the Honourable Court to grant him bail .
He adopted the content of the affidavit both the written and oral addresses as regards his subsmission.
He asked his lordship to discontinue paragraphs 8,9 of the counter affidavit as the said contains in Section 115 of the evidence act.
” We are making our subsmission on the ground that we have a good case , so we are asking your Lordship to look into the two witness that have testified did not make any case against the suspect. The applicant is not the one that will jump bail if granted.
Opposing the bail application, the State Counsel, Mrs Osasu Ewemande, adopted her affidavit . She told the Court that, the applicant has not shown enough evidence to prove to the court why he should be granted bail.
Haven listen to both Counsels, the trial judge, Honourable Justice Mary Ituseli ajourned the case to October 15th 2021 for ruling and continous hearing.
Chief Johnson Atselege and 8 Others are currently being arraigned for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community in Ologbo Dukedom, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State.
All the 9 accused persons including, The Iyatsere of Warri ,Chief Johnson Ataelege , 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.
End