The presiding judge of Benin High Court, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, Tuesday, August 25, granted the permission for the transfer of the seven suspects, who allegedly invaded the Edo State House of Assembly complex, to be remanded in the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
This followed a request by the Police Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Akomen Adaghe, who said that the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Zone 5 cell was overcrowded, pleaded with the judge to grant him the permission to take them to the State CID where there is enough space to accommodate them.
The suspects are; Wilfred Ogbewi,52, Igbinobaro Collins,26, Salami Osayomore,25, Odion Osayande,23, Morgan Uwagboe,47, Ifeoluwa Oladele,36, and Agbonrere Festus,25 .
Recall that on August 6, the suspects allegedly invaded Edo State House of Assembly premises in Benin in a manner that caused breach of peace.
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Earlier in his argument, Counsel to the applicants, Mr Matthias Obayuwana, while decrying the prolonged stay of his clients in the police custody, said the fourth respondent has been invading being served.
Obayuwana argued that any police officer can receive the motion of notice on behalf of his colleague since the fourth respondent has been invading being served.
He also asked the Court to grant his clients bail because they were arrested where they were doing their legitimate duty.
The Presiding judge, upon listening to his arguments, ordered that the fourth respondent be served through the police lawyer.
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The Presiding judge, Ikponmwonba also declined the request for their bail application, noting that all parties involved in the case must be served first, just as she said she can’t grant them bail without hearing from the other party who are involved in the case.
The case was however adjourned until Friday 28, August 2020 for continuation of hearing.