Murder Case Against Atseruleghe & 7 Others: Court Bars Journalists From Court Room

By The9jaTrend

Edo State High Court of Justice, Criminal Court 4, today 11th day of June, 2021 barred journalists from covering the murder case against Chief Johnson Atseruleghe, the Iyatsele of Warri Kingdom and 7 Others over the alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community of Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo State.

As journalists trying to gain entrance into the court room, the woman police in charge of security in Criminal Court 4, told them that she is acting on instructions of the presiding judge, His Lordship. Justice Mary Ituseli not to allow journalists into the Court room.

Speaking to journalists after the case was adjourned, the Court Registrar told newsmen that the restriction is based on the court report in one of the electronic media house as it relates to what transpired in the court premises the  last adjournment date where some members of the Edo State Community Vigilante Security Network took over the court premises in an attempt to arrest one suspect who jumped bail and was declared wanted.

She advised that pressmen should always seek clearance from the court registrar before going to press.

The suspects came with Chief Johnson Atseruleghe, the Ityasele of Warri kingdom.

After the case was adjourned, Counsel to the family of late Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, Barr. Matthew Edaghese briefed  newsmen he outcome of the day's sitting.

Barr. Adaghese opined, "The case mentioned was called and all the parties where in court and prosecution team where on hand to continue with the hearing.

"The Court Registrar who went to verify the health status of the police witness who has testified before the court and was still in the witness box (the IPO) came and told the court exactly what she saw that, actually the incidence happen and she was touched upon the sight and the stature of the police witness's body that was seriously burnt in a mishap.

"So on that ground, the Application from the Prosecution Team to expunge the witness so far led by the distressed witness (the police witness) who is yet to recover from the burnt he suffered was granted by the court and eventually the evidence has been expunged, and the Prosecution Team had to inform the court that she have a propose Amended Charge to substitute the earlier charge so that the 9th Defendant who was recently apprehended after one year of running from justice to incorporate him in one single charge with other one who had already before the court.

"At that point, Counsel to the 8th Defendant, the learned SAN objected and said he had an Application objecting to that propose amendment which was earlier served on them that it is an abuse of court process.

"On that ground, the court adjourned for hearing of that Application by the Opposing Defence Counsel to the 25th day of June 2021 so that the Application will be taken and the court to rule on it.

Meanwhile, the sister case, the Registrar also told newsmen that the case involving Okhuomose Omorodion and Genesis Orji who where the victims of the murder case, the court had adjourned to the 2nd July 2021 for hearing.

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.