Edo: Court Remands Seven Over Possession of Firearms

A High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo, has remanded in police custody, seven persons for allegedly being in possession of firearms during the recent crisis that engulfed the state house of assembly when seventeen of the lawmakers were accused of attempting to invade the house.

Festus Agbonrenren (25 years), Odion Osayande (23 years), Ogbeiwe Wilfred (52 years), Morgan Uwaigboe (47 years), Osayomore Salami (25 years), Ifeoluwa Oladele (36 years), and Iginobaro Collins (26 years) who were identified as the suspects were all arrested on August 6 within the premises of the Edo Assembly complex with five double-barrel long guns, two single barrel long guns, and 10 live cartridges.

According to the report they are alleged to have confessed that they were armed by persons in government.

Meanwhile, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, the presiding Judge, ordered that the suspects be remanded in police custody till Sept. 3 when their plea would be taken, after the originating motion which has been slated for today Counsel to the suspects, Mr. Mattias Obayuwana told the court that there was an enrolment order directed by IG, adding that suspects were bided to have appeared in court on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for hearing and not Monday.

In the light of the above Mr. Obayuwana said he was shocked that the prosecuting counsel brought the suspects to court but the prosecutor said he was not aware of such order.Following the ruling of Justice Ikponmwonba, he then adjourned the sitting to Aug. 25 for originating motion with respect of enforcement of Fundamental Human Right She, however, ordered that the suspects should not be brought along to court, adding that the court does not need the unnecessary attention that the presence of the suspects have generated.