Concerned Youths staging a protest at the Court premises
* As Concerned Youths call for speedy hearing
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Roland Ekhoe Omo -Ogbebor, suspended aide of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, was on Wednesday, 9 February, 2022 ordered to be remanded in Correctional facility in the State Capital of Edo.
Omo-Ogbebor was arraigned in Court presided over by Hon. Justice S. M. Shaibu, by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for fraud related charges.
A three count charge of fraud amounting to the sum of N31m was raised against the accused.
He was said to had obtained the money under the pretence of selling some portion of land in Okhoromi Village to two persons.
EFCC Counsel, Muhammed Ibrahim had urged the Court to remand the accused to custody of the Correctional facility while prosecuting him.
In reply, Counsel to the defendant, Chief Micheal Ukpebor informed that his Client has a pending bail application before the Court.
He therefore prayed the Court to allow his Client remain in custody of the EFCC.
A plea; the prosecuting Counsel outrightly rejected stating that the Commission has no space to accommodate him.
Ruling, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice S. M. Shuaibu accordingly ordered that the accused be remanded in the custody of the Correctional Centre until March 8, 2022 for hearing of the bail application filed.
The former aide was appearing in Court for the first time since his arrest last year; after reliable sources said he jumped bail and his surety: a top ranking Chief in the Kingdom had to be arrested in his place.
Roland who was Odionwere Omuada (Senior Spectre bearer) to the Monarch, was banned from participating in all Palace and cultural related activities for alleged sundry criminal activities, during and after his time in service.
This was made public in a press release signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irhabor sometime last year; while announcing his suspension.
Meanwhile, a group under the umbrella of ‘Concerned Edo Youths’ have charged the Judiciary to treat the case with all the seriousness and speed it deserves.
This case should not be treated like any other with the usual snail speed with which Justice is delivered in the country, the group said.
They were in the Court arena carrying placards of various inscription in solidarity with the prosecution.
Speaking; comrade Collins Amadin Osaghae said: “We are happy His Royal Majesty with his hands open has said the security agencies should go ahead with their investigation and if possible prosecute; we have come in the same vein to appeal to the Judiciary not to take this as one of those cases that would drag for years.
“We want to see those people crying given speedy justice; we want speedy hearing.
“This is so because the youths of this Kingdom of Benin are so concerned as we do not want land grabbing to continue; it must stop!
“The opportunity they have had is to serve the people, and not to create pain for them.”
Iyamu Osaro Culture said the Group is happy that finally, Roland has been brought to face the law; and on no condition henceforth should anyone hide under the canopy of the Benin Monarch, to constitute nuisance and havoc in Benin Kingdom.
“We are saying enough is enough, everyone must work to support our revered Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II in his sworn resolve to sanitize the Kingdom for peace, growth and development.
Other members of the Group; comrade Austin Orobor also speaking said: “directly or indirectly, one person or the other have been a victim of this land grabber.
“It is alleged that this young man: Roland Ekhoe has been using the name of our revered Monarch; thus sayeth the Oba. And even traditional rulers have been removed from their position because of the activities of this young man.
“But today he has been brought to face the law and as it is said; the Judiciary is the hope of the common man, and our prayer is that the wheel of Justice should grind and it must be speedily.
“My colleague talked about frivolous adjournment; we are not in support of that. We do not want Justice just been served, but very speedily to serve as deterrent to other land grabbers out there.
Imade Destiny also spoke in the same vein. “We want to say from the mountain top; that the Lamentations of land grabbers must continue because it is no longer business as usual!
“Hence we want to remind the Judiciary that this is not one of the usual cases; we demand speedy hearing believing that Roland Ekhoe has already met his match to serve as deterrent to other land grabbers out there.”
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