Court Adjourns Case of Kidnapping, Murder Against Atseleghe, 11 Others

By The9jaTrend

.               Chief Johnson Atseleghe

                   The Iyatsere of Warri

A Benin High Court has adjourned a case between Edo State Government and Chief Johnson Atseleghe and 11 others on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community  to 11th November, 2020.

The adjournment was as a result of the recent #EndSARS protests around the country which led to the jailbreak of the Correctional Centres in Benin City, Edo State.

The 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.

The case which was earlier assigned to Criminal Court 1 was reassigned to Criminal Court 4 due to the alleged position of Justice Efe Ikponmwonba.

At the sitting, the accused, Johnson Atseleghe (who claimed to be sick) out of the 12 defendants was present in court. The others were said to still be in protective custody and were not brought in the court. 

The Presiding Judge, however adjourned the case to 11th November, 2020 for preliminary hearing even as the defendants’ counsels led by Barrister Madagbelo (SAN) came up with a preliminary objection to the charges the applicant brought against them.

Barrister Mathew Edaghese led the applicants’ legal team.

Speaking to newsmen, Barrister Matthew Edaghese, said the presiding judge has adjourned the case because of the present #Endsars protest in the country which led to the jailbreak of the Correctional Centres in Benin City, Edo State.

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

Eleven (11) others accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder charge are, Felicia Otikpere, female - 55; Oluwa Esimije - 38; Monday Iluwa, - 58; Ayokotse Robinson - 54; Nosa Omoregie - 54; Mofe Samuel - 40; Magnanimous Omawumi - 40; Ayuwa More - 65, Amerete Ejiro - 25, Onyeburutan Jeffrey - 25 and Benjamin Erewa - 39.