The presiding judge of Edo State High Court, Justice Mary Ituseli yesterday upheld the earlier ruling by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, former presiding judge in the case of alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community against Chief Johnson Atselege, the Iyasere of Warri and 11 Others.
Justice Mary Ituseli said, “objection are not taken, defendants are hereby asked to enter their plea” she said.
Going further. Justice Itueli emphasized, “it will be proper to upheld the earlier reserved ruling for their preliminary objection till when judgement date is ready so that it will be deliver alongside with judgement”.
The case was adjourned to 29th of April, 2021 for hearing.
Speaking to newsmen after the sitting, Counsel to the family of late Mr. Sunny Etchie, Barr. Matthew Edaghese said that the former judge, Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele who was presiding over the case before his transfer had earlier reserved the ruling for the defense counsel preliminary objection till when judgement date is ready.
“As you are all aware, the former judge that was hearing this case before his transfer had earlier reserved the ruling for their preliminary objection till when judgement is ready so that it will be deliver alongside with judgement. “The defence counsel brought this application afresh before this new judge and the judge today had upheld the earlier opinion of the former judge to the effect that the ruling will be delivered alongside with the main judgement”.
Going further, Barr. Edaghese emphasised. “the actual intention of that application was to abort this trial to truncate hearing, l think that intention has not succeeded, hearing will go on, justice will be serve in this case.”
Meanwhile, the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) held a protest against the judicial delay of justice in case of alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion by Chief Johnson Atselege, the Iyasere of Warri and 11 Others over the allegation.
The protesters with different inscription, “Johnson is a Criminal’, “Government should hear the cries of Ologbo people”, “Sunny Must Get Justice, “John is a murderer” and “Weneed Justice” were led to the NUJ premises by president of Benin Solidarity (BSM) Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo.
Addressing Newsmen, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo said they were at the NUJ to register the displeasure of the judicial delay of criminal case against Chief Johnson Atselege, the Iyasere of Warri and 11 Others for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.
Elder Ugbo said, “we are not happy with the judicial delay of a criminal case against one Johnson Atseleghe, the Iyasere of of Warri and 11 Others who involved in the killing of innocent citizen of Ologbo Dukedom of Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo State where he is residing. He has been involved in a lot of criminal activities, for almost a year now, we have being fighting a case of conspiracy, kignapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.
“This 3 persons were killed in cold blood by Johnson Atseleghe and his boys in Ologbo Dukedom, and as you all know, we have been fighting this struggle since last year, and just two days back, some of Johnson Atseleghe’s boys were captured in Ologbo Dukedom, Johnson gave them the impression that nothing will happen since he was granted bail.
“We cannot be bought, we want justice for those that had been killed unjustly by Johnson Atseleghe and his boys, some of his boys had already confessed to their crime, and we have proof of their confession; we have video evidence of their statement made to the police of their involvement in murder of Sunny Etchie, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.”
Also speaking, the Okaighele of Evboba Community in Ologbo Dukedom, Mr. Osarumwense Osaghae said, ‘We are tired and fed up for the delay of justice over the death of our brothers, Sunny Etchie, Sunny Etchie, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.
“We are surprised that Johnson Atseleghe was granted bail, this is something that is bothering us. Is the law meant for ordinary citizen of this country, are the rich men in our society above the law? This question need answer from our governments”, he said
