Edo State Police Command in a statement by its Deputy Public Relations Officer, Jennifer Iwegbu, disclosed that on the 29th of August, 2022, it received a petition from a law firm, Neplus Ultra Partners and Co, “against Osayande Godwin Aigbe (Enogie of Ukhiri 1), Frank Irabor(Secretary of Benin Traditional Council), Chief Ukobo, Chief Ogiesughe and their cohorts for unlawful demolition of over 60 completed buildings.”
Some of the demolished buildings are said to be occupied by their owners. The action according to the law firm is among others “a very serious criminal breach of peace, criminal intimidation, thuggery, threat to life and criminal trespass.”
Going further, the law firm said: “The properties (buildings), many which were at completed stage and some under construction at different stages with appurtenance estimated to be above five hundred million naira(N500,000,000.00) in value as contained in the petition. Most of these properties are alleged to belong to diasporan investors.”
According to Jennifer, “Having received the petition, the Commissioner of Police detailed operatives of the command to carry out a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to book immediately.
“Seven suspects were arrested namely; Chief Oko-Oboh Ebosele, Aghavbere Osawemwenguan, Abel Oko-Oboh, Tuesday Atagamene, Okechukwu Okeke, Ode Uloko and Frank Irabor.
“The suspects were thoroughly investigated and charged to court on 1st September, 2022, for a remand hearing on a six-count charge which includes; Conspiracy under Sec 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004;
Without authority did carry out a war-like undertaking against a band of citizens of Ulegun Community in Benin City ity and thereby committed an offence punishable under Sec 42 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria; felony to wit forceful takeover of land and thereby committed an offence punishable under Sec 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria; forcible entry and thereby committed an offense contrary to Sec2(1) and punishable under Sec2(3) of the Edo State Private Properties Protection law, 2017; malicious damage and thereby committed an offence under Sec 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and willful and unlawful damage of about 60 houses belonging to different persons at Ulegun Community and thereby committed an offense punishable under sec 451 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The Command knows none of the aforementioned names or title, but by virtue of the names supplied by the petition and they are all Benin ethnic people.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP Abutu Yaro, wants every impacted victim to remain calm and law-abiding while due process of the law has already been emplaced to ensure transperacy, fairness and justiceable conclusion of this matter. He equally admonish other fugitives associated with this incidence to report to the authorities of the State CID Nigeria Police Headquarters, Benin City in their own interest.”
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