Fresh Case of Alleged Murder Against Chief Johnson Atselegha Adjourned to 26th November, 2020

By The9jaTrend

Edo State High Court, Criminal Court 1, Benin City has on Thursday, 26th October adjourned a fresh case of  murder against the  Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atseleghe who is already facing alleged murdered case of the Okhaighele of Kolokolo Community, Mr. Sunny Etchie, Chief Johnson Atseleghe, the Iyasere of Warri  to November 26th 2020.

Atseleghe is the Iyatsere of Warri and leader of Itsekiri in oil-rich Ologbo Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

The defendant, Johnson Atseleghe is being tried on a  murder of Okuomuose  Omorodion and Genesis Orji  in Ologbo Community in charge Seat No. B/CO/717M/20.

The offence contravened Section 324 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 punishable under  the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 and Section 2 (2) and punishable under Section 3 prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2013 of Edo State.

At the sitting on Thursday, the accused, Johnson Atseleghe was not present at the court and the prosecutor thereafter told the court that DPP advise is being awaited.

It would be recall that lawyer to Atseleghe in the last sitting  of Monday 14th September  told the court that Chief Atseleghe would be available in the court anytime he is needed.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, however adjourned the case to November 26, 2020 for hearing awaiting the DPP advice.

Meanwhile, there was a mass  protest around the court premises by the Benin Solidarity Movement( BSM), and it's Ighele Edo Civil Defence/Security Services with  citizens of Ologbo Community demanding  that the case be transferred to another court, as they have lost confidence on the presiding judge, justice Efe Ikponmwonba. 

The protesters accused the judge, justice Efe Ikponmwonba of being compromised. One of the placards read,"WE NEED JUSTICE FOR SUNNY ETCHIE, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community." Killers should not be allowed to move freely in our society".

The protesters thereafter moved to the Edo State Police Command headquarters  to lay their complain. They also asked the Commissioner of police, Edo State to look into the alleged invitation, inviting the Onogie and some members of the community for questioning when they are fully aware that they are fighting for the people.