By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Criminal Case of the State vrs. Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atselege and 11 others in the alleged murder of the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, in Ologbo Dukedom , Edo State, Nigeria , has been adjourned to 25th of June, 2021 for continuous hearing..
At today’s hearing , both parties were present in the Criminal Court 4. The Court Registrar, who went to verify the state of the Police witness, Sgt. Otoide Marvelous, told the court that she was touched, when she saw the situation of the body.
She told the court that the witness was badly burnt
The state counsel, informed the court in the last sitting that , the witness had a severe gas accident , with burns all over the body.
She pleaded with the court to exponge the witness evidence, so that the 2nd witness can be taken .
On that ground, the application by the prosecutor to the court to exponge the witness evidence so that other witness can be taken
was granted by the court and the evidence was exponged.
The Prosecuting team, led by Mrs Osasu Ewemade, told the Court that she had a proposed amendment to prosecute the 9th defendant who was recently arrested after a year of running from Justice in one singular Change before the Court.
At that point, the Counsel to the 8th defendant, Imandegbelo Ighedosa, SAN, objected, saying that he has an application objecting that proposed amendment, which was earlier served on them, saying that it was an abuse of Court process.
On.that count , The presiding judge, Justice Mary Ituseli has to adjourn the case for hearing to 25th of June 2021.
In a related development, State vrs. Austin Olokor, over the murder of Okhuomose Omorodion and Genesis Orji, which was also slated for today was adjourned to 2nd July, 2021.
Meanwhile, at today’s sitting in Edo State High Court , Criminal Court 4, journalists were barred from covering the murder case against Chief Johnson Atseruleghe, the Iyashele of Warri Kingdom and 7 others over the alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community of Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo State.
All efforts to gain entrance into the court room proved abortive as the officer in charge of Criminal Court 4, told journalists that she is acting on the instruction of the presiding judge, His Lordship. Justice Mary Ituseli to restrict journalists from entering into the court room.
Speaking to journalists after the court has adjourned the case, the Criminal Court 4 Registrar, told newsmen that the restriction is based on the reportage of one of the media house in Edo State .
She advised that pressmen should always seek clearance from the court before going to press.
Chief Johnson Atselege and 11 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.
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.