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 24th of September 2021.
At today’s hearing, the Presiding Judge of High Court Criminal Court 4, Honourable Justice Mary Ituseli gave ruling on the application of the state counsel, asking that the 9th accused person, Micah Missah Kaka be arraigned in one singular Change with the other defendants before the Court.
Ruling on the application, Justice Mary Ituseli , said, what the State Counsel asked before the court was right before the court.
The application for the charge to be consiladated was allowed. A new charge was initiated and fresh Plea was taking.
In the height of the amended charge , those who have been on bail before were allowed to remain in their bail.
According to her,” there is no way trying the accused persons in one singular Charge can in any way result to miscarriage of Justice, She therefore threw away the application of the defense counsel.
The Prosecuting team, led by Mrs Osasu Ewemade, has proposed amendment before the court to prosecute the 9th defendant who was recently arrested after a year of running from Justice in one singular Change with the other defendants before the Court .
She appealed that, 9th defendant , Micah Missah Kaka be added to the original case , which is within the armbit of the law.
The 8th defendant Counsel , Ighodalo Imandegbelo , SAN, has opposed the application before the court, stating that there was an appeal before the court of Appeal,and also merging the case will bring miscarriage of Justice.
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.