NBA BENIN BRANCH CONDEMNS ATTACK ON FORMER EDO ATTORNEY GENERAL, OTHER PROTESTERS BY PUWOV

The Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch is taken aback and condemns unequivocally and in strong terms the unwarranted and unjustifiable attack on peaceful protesters led by Dr. Osagie Obayuwana by members of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) in Benin City, Edo State on Monday 31 May 2021.

We find the assault and vandalisation of the properties of the peaceful protesters most reprehensible and extremely distasteful. Wecall on the State Government to fish out the perpetrators of this ungodly act for proper discipline and sanction.

The right to gather and protest peacefully is an inalienable right of every citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as guaranteed and protected under sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Citizens have a right to voice out their displeasures, disappointments and frustrations. The Court of Appeal upheld the right to protest. In the case of IGP V. ANPP (2008) 12 WRN 65 stating that “certainily in a democracy, it is the right of citizens to conduct peaceful processions, rallies or demonstrations without seeking and obtaining permission from anybody. It is a right guaranteed by the 1999 constitution and any law that attempts to curtail such right is null and void and of no effect.”

The right to protest is also protected in International Law. We were therefore surprised to learn of the attempt by certain officials of PUWOV to curtail the rights of citizens to protest the wanton insecurity in Nigeria.

What is even more condemnable is the attack on
the person of Dr. Osagie Obayuwana who is a distinguished legal practitioner, foremost human rights activist, a former Attorney General of Edo State and a member of the Benin Bar.

Perhaps it is appropriate to go down memory lane and state that the democracy which we enjoy today is a result of the efforts of persons like Dr. Obayuwana who took on the Abacha junta in the quest to ensure that the rights of Nigerians are protected and was incarcerated by the Abacha led junta because of his unerring stance in the face of intimidation.

It is a testament to Dr. Obayuwana’s steadfastness that over 20 years after, he is still at the forefront of the civil society movement.

As a noble Association, we find the brazen attack on the protesters led by Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State to be the height of lawlessness and we demand that an apology be sent to the protesters and the erring PUWOV officials who led the assault and disruption be brought to book.
Pius I. Oiwoh Esq.
Chairman.
0.A. Lawani Esq. Secretary

COMRADE OSHIOMHOLE BENDS BACKWARDS: CONGRATULATES OBASEKI

Former National Chairman of the APC and two-time Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has sent a message or congratulations to Governor Obaseki on his recent victory at the Supreme Court.

A letter signed by Comrade Oshiomhole disclosed that the supreme Court has effectively laid to rest all matters arising from the last election.

According to him, “as I had repeatedly reminded you during our several meetings, our relationship has through the years developed beyond being friends to being brothers of different parents. Whatever happened is unfortunate and I believe God has a reasons for everything. I have put all behind me and moved on. As I have consistently advised, please be magnanimous in victory. You are the Governor of all Edo people regardless of political leanings. Once again, congratulations” Comrade Oshiomhole stated.

IZE-IYAMU CONGRATULATES OBASEKI:MAKES CASE FOR “ABSCONDEE” LEGISLATORS, COUNCIL OFFICIALS.

The APC Candidate for the 2020 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki following the Supreme Court judgment delivered on Friday.

Ize-Iyamu recalled “your supporters had instituted thirteen (13) different pre-election cases against my deputy and I; all seeking to disqualify us from participating in the election. On our part, our party, the APC had only one case against Your Excellency and your party. We also deliberately did not go to the
Elections Tribunal, not because we did no have issues but because we felt it was better to allow you face the job at hand, moreso as our party at the National level had congratulated you.
We are happy that all these cases have come to an end. Now that it is all over, please accept my congratulations“.


The APC Governorship Candidate then appealed to Governor Obaseki to consider the pertinent issues of the 14 constituencies which included two from the Governor’s Local Government, Oredo, and another two from the Deputy Governor’s Local Government to Etsako West.


Ize-Iyamu stated that though the matter is pending in Court, Obaseki is in a vantage position to consider an out-of- court settlement of the issue, in the overall interest of the state.


Pastor Ize-Iyamu also canvassed the need for the Governor’s intervention in the issue of elected Local
Government Chairmen, Vice-chairmen, Councilors and Supervisory Councillors who were suspended and removed from office.

According to him, APC, as the opposition party in the state, will ensure that the present administratin does the right thing always.

BENIN HIGH COURT REMANDS ALLEGED VIOLENT SUSPECT

One 45 years old Charles Igbineweka has been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional centre for alleged murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms related charges.

Charles lgbineweka (a.k.a Safora), 45, on 8th February 2021, at Egbean Community, Upper Ekehuan Road, Benin City, allegedly conspired with others now at large to murderd one Uman Usman by opening multiple gunshots at him, an offence punishable under section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code.

The Defendant and others now at large, on same date, place and time, allegedly, attempted to murder one Rufai Abdu-Raheemed and another Ogbeifun Sunday by firing several gunshots at them which caused them greivous bodily harm, an offence punishable under section 320 of the Criminal Code.

SAFORA and others now at large, were further alleged by the Prosecution to have been in possession of a double barrel, single barrel and locally made guns with live cartridges, without lawful authority and or a valid license.

The offence of unlawful possession of firearms, according to the Prosecution, is contrary to Section 3 (1) of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The presiding Judge accordingly made his remand order and directed the duplication of his case file to be forwarded to the office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for legal advice.

COURT REMANDS OKADA ROBBER: ACCOMPLICES ON THE RUN

A Benin High Court, Criminal Division, has remanded one 21 year old Friday Peter in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre for alleged armed robbery.

The Defendant in August 2020, at Amayo Street, Iguobazuwa, Edo State, allegedly conspired with others now at large to commit Armed Robbery which is contrary to Section 6(b) and punishable under Section 1 (1 (2) (a) (b) of the
Robbery and Firearms (Special provisions) Act, Cap. R II Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Friday Peter and his fleeing accomplices, while allegedly armed with dagger, knife, cutlasses and wood, attacked and robbed one Edafe of his unregistered Daylong Motorcycle, an offence punishable under Section1 (1) (2) (a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R II Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

25 YEARS OLD KIDNAPP SUSPECT REMANDED

One 25 year Ehizoje Omojeva has been remanded in the custody of the correctional center on the orders of a Benin High Court for alleged kidnapping related charges.

Ehizoje Omojeva allegedly conspired with others now at large, on or about the 10th September 2020, along Ugua-Ujogba Village Road, Ubiaja, Edo State, to kidnapp one Emmanuel Ano with an Audi 80 car with registration number BEN 949 AT an offence contrary to Section 2 (2) and punishable under Section 3 of the Kidnaping Prohibition (Amendment) Laws of the Edo State 2013.


The suspect and others now at large on the same date, time and place were allegedly in possession and control one cut-to-size gun without a valid license from the appropriate authority and other dangerous weapon and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 27 (1) of the Firearms Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Robbery and Firearms Special provision Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

ALLEGED HIGHWAY KIDNAPPERS REMANDED

Three persons have been arraigned before a High Court, Criminal Division, sitting in Benin City for kidnapping and murder related charges.

The Defendants; Dahiru Baa, Kondo Hassan and Audu Kareem earlier arraigned in Motion number B/CD/168M/2021 and others now at large on 18th February 2021 at Rasaki Farm, Ugbogui village, near Iguobazuwa Town, conspired to commit kidnapping, an offence punishable under Section 515 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

It was alleged by the Prosecution that Dahiru Baa Kondo Hassan and Audu Kareem and others now at large, on same date, place and time allegedly kidnapped one Ito Odudu Adebayo.

The Prosecution also alleged that Dahiru Baa, Kondo Hassan and Audu Kareem and others now at large on same date place and time conspired to commit murder, punishabe under section 324 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation Nigeria, 2004.

Dahiru Baa Kondo Hassan and Audu Kareem and others now at large, on the same date, place and time, allegedly murdered the victim, Ito Odudu Adebayo after abducting him, an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishabie under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code.

Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Efe Ikponmwoba, however, made their remand order and directed that their case file be duplicated and forwarded to the State Director of Public prosecutions, DPP, for legal advice.

UROMI POS ROBBERY: SUSPECTS REMANDED

An Okada Rider, Amas Osas, 21, Yahaya Musa, 21 and Nathaniel Omonzebaguan, 20, have been remanded in custody by a Benin High Court for allegedly robbing a Point Of Sales(POS) Operator on or about the 24th April 2021, at No 7, Mission Road, Uromi, Edo State.

They were arraigned before the Court for alleged
conspiracy to commit Armed Robbery, an offence contrary to section 6 (6) and punishable under section 2
(0) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R.11., laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The Defendants, on the same date, time and place, while
armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, allegedly, attacked and robbed the POS Operator of a cash sum of five million, two hundred and twenty five thousand naira (N5.225,O00.00), an offence punishable under section
(a) (6) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R.11. Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.

It was further alleged by the Prosecution that the Defendants, knowingly and unlawfully had in their
possession and control, one pump action rifle, one cut to size single barrel gun and five live cartridges and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section (1) (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Fireams
(Special Provisions) Act Cap R.I1, Laws of the Federation o1 Nigera 2004.

UTEKON CRISIS: MATTHEW IDUORIYEKEMWEN, HARRISON OKAO ALLEGEDLY FINGERED

Some elders and indigenes of Utekon village in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, have staged a peaceful protest along some major streets in Benin City, calling on government, the Benin monarch and other in stake holders to come to their rescue.


The protest, according to them was to register their displeasure over the high-handedness of the former Okaighele, Mr. Osamede Aigbovia.


The elders and indigenes, carrying placards with various inscriptions, alleged that the former Okaighele of Utekon, Mr. Osamede Aigbovia, has nothing to show for his leadership since 2013.


They also alleged that following non-performanca by the embattled Okaighele, the Odionwere and elders in in-council, replaced him with one Onward Amadasun on the 5th of May 2021, a development which did not go down well with the said Aigbovia.


It was further alleged that the former Okaighele consequently invited some of thugs into the village to beat up some elders and indigenes and as well destroyed properties worth millions of naira in Utekon village.

According to them, the removed Ohen Osa, Harrison Okao, allegedly connived with a former majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who installed Aigbovia as the Okaighele, under the pretence that the Oba of Benin mandated by him to do so, emphasizing that they later found out that the Oba had no hand in the choice of Aigbovia as the Okaighele.

They alleged that violence was daily unleashed on them by the said Aigbovia, who christened them as rebels, hence, they decided to run away from the village for their dear lives.

HON. JUSTICE ACHA BECOMES EDO ACTING CHIEF JUDGE

EDO GETS 8TH ACTING CHIEF JUDGE

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has sworn in Hon. Justice Joe Acha as the new Chief Judge of the State in acting capacity.

Hon. Justice Acha was sworn in following the retirement of his predecessor, Hon. Justice Esther Amenaghawon Edigin, having attained the mandatory retirement age of 65.

The Governor urged the Acting Chief Judge to hold on tenaciously to the relevant oaths he subscribed to, even as he described the Acting Chief Judge as the custodian of an institution which represents the last version of hope in the state’s common existence.

Obaseki expressed the hope that the justice sector under the leadership of Hon. Justice Acha will continue to wax stronger as an institution and deliver not just judgment but justice to all.

The past, according to the Governor, has clearly declared support for the rapid development of the Judiciary as an institution.

Obaseki added that apart from infrastructure, the Government is keen on changing all the infrastructures in the State as a legacy it owes the people for voting massively for the present Government during the last election.

The new Acting Chief Judge, in his remarks, promised to do justice to all persons in the discharge of his duties.