By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Case of 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 2nd of June, 2021 for continuous hearing.
At today’s trial,the state counsel, Mrs Osasu Ewemade informed the court that , the 1st witness , PW 1),, Sgt. Otoide Marvelous, is indisposed .
According to the state counsel, 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 .
The defence counsel, Ighedosa Imadegbelo objected to the pleadings of the state counsel based on non presentation of medical evidence.
The State counsel later presented video evidence to convince the court and the defence counsel, but the defence counsel still object to her evidence and requested that the registrar of the court be sent to verify the true position of the witness in the hospital.
They also requested that proper official evidence be presented before the court.
Counsel to 8th accussed person, Ighedosa Imhandegbelo pleaded for adjourrment to enable the registrar carry out the Investigation.
Having listened to both counsel,His Lordship, Justice Mary Ituseli therefore adjourned the case to 2nth of June 2021 for continues hearing.
Chief Johnson Atselege and 11 Others are 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.
All the 8 accused persons including, the Iyatsere of Warri kingdom ,Chief Johnson Atseleghe , 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 present in Court .
End.