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 31st May and 2nd of June, 2021 for continuous hearing.
At today’s trial, the Prosecution Witness( PW 1),, Sgt. Otoide Marvelous, tendered the statement of the first accused person, Oluwa Esimijie before the court for admittance which was taken.
But the defence counsel, O.T . Okeke objected to admission of the statement, alledging that the statement was taken under duress, that it was not taking voluntarily.
He argued that his client was forced against his will to sign the statement as such it will not be fair to admit it as his client statement.
Based on the objection, the Presiding Judge, His Lordship, Justice Mary Ituseli , adjourned for further hearing to enable the court conduct trial within trial.
According to her, the case was adjourn to 31st of May and 2nd of June 2021 respectively.
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 .
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 June, 2021.
In the last adjourment date, the state counsel did inform the court that he intends to file process to get the necessary paper to get the other suspects that we’re arrested fresh a year after the arrest of the other ones,so that they can consolidate all of them in one charge sheet for easy dispensation of Justice.
So the state counsel informed the court that the production warrant to enable the one that has been in detection to appear in court is on, adding that plea can not be taken in the absent of the accused Person.
The court however adjourned to 2nd June, 2021 to enable the remanded suspects be released by the Correctional Centre.