Court Adjourns Case of Kidnapping, Murder Against Chief Atseleghe, 11 Others to 3rd February, 2021

By Simeon OSAJIE

A Benin High Court, Criminal Court 4, has adjourned a case between Edo State Government and Chief Johnson Atseleghe, 11 Others on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community to 3rd February, 2021.

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

The Defendants' 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.

Speaking to newsmen after the sitting, Barrister Mathew Edaghese who led the applicants’ legal team said the judge has to adjourn the case because the principal witness took ill and therefore adjourned the case to 3rd February, 2021 for continuation.

"Unfortunately, the principal witnrss we suppose to take today took ill and it was convened to the court by State Counsel. So, for the purpose of that circumstance, the case was further adjourned to 3rd of February, 2021.  Hopefully, the witness would have recovered, then the trial will continue," Barr. Edaghese said.