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By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide has condemned the arbitrary arrest and criminal charges against the duo of Edorodion Osarobo and Giobaguan Kelvin over a land dispute between them and one Nosaks Farm Ltd at Idogbo in Ikpoba-Okha LGA of Edo State.
The Police has recently covert a ‘two fighting’ case over a land dispute between two parties not only to a criminal case but also charges for Armed Robbery, Arson and Possession of fire arms .
In a release made available to Press and signed by the President, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM), Elder Comrade Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, in Benin City said what was a mere case of two fighting was suddenly made a criminal case.
Elder Ugbo, frowned at the grand moves by the Edo Police Command to label the duo of Edorodion Osarobo and Giobaguan Kelvin as criminals on account of what ordinarily was a land dispute between them and one Nosaks Farm Ltd at Idogbo, Ikpoba-Okha LGA of Edo State.
He said, “Before you call Jack Robinson, a case of ‘two fighting’ over a land has been turned to a criminal case with the aforementioned duo charged to court on the allegation of Armed Robbery, Arson and Possession of fire arms allegations that are alien to what transpired just to make the case seem like a criminal case”.
“From what was made available to the Benin Solidarity Movement BSM Worldwide, the Police allegations against Edorodion Osarobo, who is the Enogie of Idogbo and Giobaguan Kelvin (Assistant Secretary of Idogbo Community) were built on shifting soil which do not and cannot hold ground.”
Adding that, “the story BSM executives got from the Community sources is that the State Government and two of its principal officials, Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Barrister Osarodion Ogie being interested parties in the case ordered arrest of the duo, who are Traditional title holders, Enogie and Okhaegele, on flimsy grounds and for a crime that they were not involved in.”
He advised , Governor Obaseki and his SSG not to engage in any act meant to rubbish the Traditional Institution of the Benin KINGDOM for very flimsy reasons unattenable in law or logic; This is not to say that as the Chief Security Officer and also the Chief Servant of the State, Governor Godwin Obaseki should shy away from his constitutional role.
“BSM’s argument is that he should not allow sentiments to rule his actions and inactions by turning logic and justice upside down. His attention should be focused on making justice takes its due course and not making life unbearable for the innocent.
“Also we appeal to the Nigeria Police not to become tools which some individuals use to settle primordial scores and should tread carefully as any act of mischief from them will be countered by the Benin Solidarity Movement BSM Worldwide with good support from the authorities of the judicial process.”
The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki should know that “He that comes to equity, must come with clean hands and an injury to one is an injury to all”. Those who have ears let them hear!!!
