The Edo State Special Criminal Court has granted bail to Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, the 90-year-old father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Edo South, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and three others accused of land grabbing, cultism and other offences.
The court rejected an application by the police seeking an order to remand the four suspects in correctional custody for 14 days pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The presiding judge, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, held that the application lacked merit and admitted each of the suspects to bail in the sum of N1 million, with one surety each in like sum.
The suspects, who are yet to be formally arraigned, are Jeff Erese, 43; George Osagiede, 52; Uyi Erese, 35; and Pa. Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, said to be about 90 years old.
They were brought before the court in Motion No. B/CD/S/55M/26 over allegations of cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder, forceful acquisition of land and self-help.
Moving the ex parte application, the Solicitor-General of Edo State, Barrister Steven Okoror, urged the court to remand the suspects in correctional custody for 14 days pending the DPP’s advice.
He said the application was brought pursuant to Sections 293(1) and 296(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo State, 2016.
Opposing the application, counsel to the suspects, Barrister Agbonmwandolor Osayomwanbor, argued
that Section 295 of the state’s criminal justice law empowered the court to admit the suspects to bail.He maintained that investigations had been concluded, leaving no justification for their continued detention.
Osayomwanbor also drew the court’s attention to the advanced age of the fourth suspect, Pa. Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, arguing that the defendants were prepared to provide responsible sureties and would comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court.
He consequently urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
In his response, Okoror urged the court to deny bail to the first three suspects, citing the gravity of the allegations of cultism and the possibility that they might abscond.
He also faulted the defence for failing to file an affidavit in opposition to the application but said he was not opposed to bail for the fourth suspect.
In his ruling, Justice Momodu said he had carefully considered the application, the supporting affidavit, the allegations against the suspects and the submissions of counsel on both sides.
The judge held that the application lacked merit, describing the matter as essentially a land dispute and questioning the inclusion of cultism in the allegations.
He consequently rejected the remand application and admitted the four suspects to bail at N1 million each, with one surety each in like sum.
Justice Momodu directed that the sureties must be resident in Benin City.
