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 4th of October 2021.
At today’s hearing, the Prosecuting team, led by Mrs Osasu Ewemande,
called her first witness, PW1 Benson Ayokotse to the dock. The PW1 plea was taken and also completed his testimony.
The defence counsel for accused persons 1 to 8 Cross examined the PW1 .
At the turn of the 8th accussed person’s counsel , Ighodalo Imandegbelo’s turn to cross examine the PW1 , the Trial Judge, Honourable Justice Mary Ituseli informed the court that her lordship have a meeting to attend, and she asked Ighodalo Imandegbelo’ whether he is about rounding up his cross examination.
In respond, he said, ,” I have not started ,I am just starting ,I have so much questions to ask him.”
The Honourable Judge, Justice Mary Ituseli after listen to the counsels, thereafter adjourned the case to 4th of October 2021, for continous examination of the witness.
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