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Edo court adjourns suit against Benin Monarch amidst tight security
Court gavel
Next Stay Exploring Ba Vi’s Dragon Fruit Garden [NếmTV] 40 42 00:00 00:00 / 00:00 10 Sec Published By: Paul Dada
By Jethro Ibileke
Hundreds of residents of Benin, Edo State, besieged the premises of the Edo State High Court on Monday, despite the heavy presence of security agents and warnings from the State Government.
Those present, including members of the Benin Royal family, palace chiefs, traditional priests, priestesses and others, were at the Court to witness the hearing of the suit instituted by Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Mr Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen, the suspended Enigie [Dukes] of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen respectively, challenging their suspension from office by the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
The State Government had in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, alerted that some groups were plotting to disrupt public peace over a Benin High Court proceedings to score cheap political points.
“The State Government hereby condemns in the strongest terms the recent posts circulating on social media platforms inciting and urging people to disrupt the operations of the Benin High Court on Monday, July 15.
“It is highly disconcerting that there have been attempts to interfere with the judicial process through threats and displays aimed at inciting public unrest.
“It is imperative to emphasize that the rule of law must prevail, and all arms of government must be allowed to carry out their functions without fear of intimidation or disruption. The sanctity of our institutions must be upheld at all times.
“The Edo State Government will take all lawful actions against any individual or group found to be involved in activities that undermine the peace in the State,” the statement had warned.
A section of the busy Sapele Road was cordoned-off by the security operatives as a further measure to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
Scores of the anticipating crowd still managed to get their way into the Court premises while hundreds of others laid siege at the gate manned by armed operatives.
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Justice Peter Akhihiero had on 9 May, 2024, adjourned the suit marked B/250os/2023, to today before it was reassigned.
When the case was mentioned, the presiding Judge, Justice Mary Asemota adjourned it to 17 October, 2024.
She cited the forthcoming annual Judicial vacation year as reason for the long adjustment.
Speaking to journalists, Counsel to the 1st defendant (Oba of Benin), said, Dr. Osagie Osagie, however disclosed that the case has been reassigned to another Judge, hence, must start afresh.
He said: “Today, Court 6 that is handling the case has indicted that as a new judge, the case will have to start de novo. What that means is that the case has to start afresh because he was not the judge that handled the case previously. That is the position of the law.”
Also speaking, Counsel to the Claimants, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, described the Court procedure as normal.
He said, “There has been a reorganisation of Courts. Judges have been moved, and the case was adjourned to October 17th 2024”.
