Edo drops charges against Oba of Benin Secretary, six others over illegal demolition of properties
2 min read
Almost two years after he was charged with the demolition of illegal property in Ulegun village, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State Government, has dropped the criminal charges preferred against the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr. Frank Irabor, and six others.
The state government had in August 2022, slammed 29-count charge against Mr. Irabor and some palace officials over the demolition of the disputed property.
Consequently, the defendants which included Mr. Irabor, Chief Oko-Oboh Ebosele, Aghavbere Osawemwenguan, Abel Oko Oboh, Tuesday Atagamene, Okechukwu Okeke and Ode Uloko were remanded in prison custody by Justice Itsueli on September 1, 2022.
The trial judge held that the accused would remain in Oko maximum Correctional Centre, Benin pending the receipt of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) but were however released on bail one week after.
At the resumed hearing today, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the DPP, Mr. Orobosa Okunbor made the application to withdraw the case before the Benin City High Court.
Mr. Okunbor told the trial judge that the case was designed for peace and reconciliation by the government, which had paid adequate compensation to persons whose livelihood were impacted by the demolition.
The development was after defendants in the suit, Mr. Irabor and others who were led in evidence by their Counsel, Olawola Afolabi, SAN, and Okuns Aihie had however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Elated, the scribe thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki who deemed it fit and appropriate to withdraw the case, noting that the government’s intervention was a step in the right direction towards genuine peace and reconciliation.
Mr. Irabor added, “On behalf of the Chief and other Palace functionaries, we like to thank the Edo State Government ably led by Governor Godwin Obaseki for deeming it fit and appropriate to withdraw this case that was filed against us. It’s the right step in the right direction.”
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