Murder Cases Against Chief Atseleghe, 18 Others Adjourns To Feb. 10th

By Simeon OSAJIE

In continuation of the alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community, Sunny Etchie against  Chief Johnson Atseleghe, the Iyatsere of Warri and 11 Others which is going on at Benin High Court has been adjourned to 10th February, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

This was informed by an application from the prosecution counsel asking for adjournment because she could not finished her promotional examination which she earlier informed the court the previous day (3/02/2021). So, the trial judge, Hon. Justice Ohimai Oviagele thereafter adjourned the case to 10th February, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

Speaking to newsmen after sitting, head of the legal team to Sunny Etchie's family Barr. Matthew Edaghese said the case against Chief Johnson Atseleghe and 11 Others for conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community was adjourned to 10th February, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

When asked for the sudden disappearance of the State Counsel, Barr. Edaghese said, "There is no such thing like disappearance of the State Counsel. The State Counsel have promotional examination to write which she duly informed the court yesterday (3/02/2021) which was the basis for this adjournment.

"For that reason, the court suggested to her (the state counsel) if 1.00pm she would have be done with the exams by then, so it was presumably agreed that by then she would have be done, so it is not to cast a stone, so she is not in the control of the conduct of the exam, she is a candidate, she won't leave the exam hall when the exam is still ongoing. 

"However, she couldn't finished as she speculated anticipated, so she duly wrote the court to inform the court that it is no longer feasible, so she have to be physically or personally present."

Going further, Barr. Edaghese emphasised that "though, the Edo State Ministry of Justice is an Institution of many lawyers, but when a particular counsel have done a matter half way, especially if a witness is still in the box, it is tidier for her to finish the job, otherwise, you will be bringing somebody to start from where she didn't  begin. So, l think the application for adjournment which has very cogent reason is acceptable procedural.

"We have nothing against what transpired, it is natural for adjournment that is necessary to be granted, this is one of such adjournment that necessitated by circumstance, very compelling circumstance. So the case has been adjourned to the 10th day of February, 2021 for continuation."

On the case of alleged murder of Ologbo Youth Leaders, Okuomuose  Omorodion and one  Genesis Orji  by the Iyatsere of Warri, Johnson Atseleghe,  and 7 Others, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele adjourned for hearing to  17th day of February, 2021.

Responding to questions from newsmen, head of the legal team to Omorodion Okuomose's family, Barr. Matthew Edaghese said the case against Chief Johnson Atseleghe and 7 Others was adjourned to 17th of February, 2021 for hearing.

"For the other one, the sister case, the murdered of Omorodion Okuomose and Genesis Orji by the Iyatsere of Warri, Johnson Atseleghe,  and 7 Others, that have be adjourned for hearing on the 17th day of February, 2021. So l think the court is mindful of its desire to grant accelerated hearing in this case, so we are moving at that space", Barr. Edaghese opined.

It will be recalled that the accused Persons are  being arraigned on a count charge bothering on conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo community, Ologbo Youth Leaders, Okuomuose  Omorodion and one Genesis Orji by the Iyatsere of Warri, Johnson Atseleghe, and 18 Others.

The offence contravened Sections 324 punishable under  the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004, and Section 2 (2) and punishable under Section 3 of 00 Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2013 of Edo State.