By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The bail applications for 7 defendants in the case of murder,kidnapping in Ologbo Community came up today at the Benin Criminal High Court 4.
The 7 defendants are being tried on count charge bothering on Conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, Okhaigele of kolokolo.
The motion for bail was moved by the defence counsel to the 7 defendants.
The accused persons are Oluwa Esimije, 38; Monday Iluwa, 58; Ayokotse Robinson,54; Nosa Omoregie, 54; Mofe Samuel, 40; Magnanimous Omawumi, 40; Ayuwa Mofe, 65, Felicia Otikpere, female, 55; Amerete Ejiro, 25, Onyeburutan Jeffrey 25 and Benjamin Erewa, 39.
The defence Counsel in his depose application for bail stated that the defendants stayed back in prison even though, there was a jail break showed that, they will not jump bail if granted.
But in his objections to the bail , the state Counsel, Barrister Ewemade Osasu argued that the first accused, Oluwa Esimije, 38; once jumped jail in murder case before he committed this present one that he is involved. Stating that granting him bail will be dangerous.
The defendant and 7 others are being tried on a count charge bothering on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo community.
The 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) and punishable under section 3 of the Kidnapping prohibition (Amendment) Law , 2013 of Edo State.
The case which came up in criminal Court 4 had none of the accused persons present in court.
The presiding Judge, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele haven listen to both counsels granted bail to all accussed persons with different conditions.
The judge said, since the defendants remains in the prison despite the jail break shows that they will not jump bail, and therefore granted bail to the 7 defendants.
One of the accused persons Oluwa Esimije, was granted bail on condition of 2million Naira , one surety with deeds of transfer.