Nigerian High Court Remands Prominent Monarch, Oba of Benin’s Secretary, Six Others In Prison

Nigerian High Court Remands Prominent Monarch, Oba of Benin’s Secretary, Six Others In Prison

The accused persons appeared in court on six counts bordering on the forceful takeover of land and illegal demolition of buildings at Ulegun village in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo.

Justice Mary Itsueli of Benin High Court on Thursday ordered the remand of Frank Irabor, Secretary to Benin Traditional Council and six others in prison custody for allegedly engaging in the illegal demolition of houses.

The accused persons appeared in court on six counts bordering on the forceful takeover of land and illegal demolition of buildings at Ulegun village in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo.

The accused persons are Chief Oko-Oboh, Aghavbere Osawemwrnguan, Abel Oko Oboh, Tuesday Atagamene, Okechukwu Okeke and Ode Ikoko.

The police with charge number: BD/CD/241M alleged that the accused persons were involved in the illegal demolition of over 60 houses in the village that are said to be worth N500 million.

The charge read in the part: “That you did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: Promoting Inter Communal War and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: Forceful Take Over of Land and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That on August 28, 2022, at Ulegun Community, in Benin City, in the Benin Criminal Division, you did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Malicious Damage and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you did wilfully and unlawfully damaged about 60 houses belonging to different persons at Ulegun Community, the value of properties amounting to about N500 million and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Moving an ex parte application for the remand of the accused, Polycarp Odion, Legal Officer with the Nigeria Police told the court that the charge file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

He urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending the advice, describing the charges as grievous.

In her ruling, Justice Itsueli granted the application of the legal officer and adjourned the case to September 15, 2022.