Ologbo Murder Saga: Johnson Atseleghe, 11 Others Take Plea as Court Throws Out Preliminary Objection.

By Lucky Isibor.

 A Benin High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli has thrown out the preliminary objection in the murder trial of the Iyasere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atseleghe and eleven others; sitting revant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) which states that rulings on all objections shall be delivered along with the judgement, and ordered the defendants to take their plea.

Today's ruling is a reaffirmation of an earlier ruling delivered by the Hon. Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, the former presiding judge in the trial for the alleged murder of Mr. Sunny Eichie, the Okaighele of Koloko community against Chief Johnson Atseleghe and 11 others.

In her words, Justice Mary Ituseli said, "objections are not taken, defendants are hereby asked to enter their plea".

Going further, Justice Ituehi added, "it will be proper to uphold the earlier reserved  ruling for their preliminary objection till when judgement date is ready so that it will be deliver alongside with judgement". 

The case was thereafter adjourned to 29th of April, 2021 for hearing.

Speaking to newsmen after the sitting, counsel to the family of late Mr. Sunny Etchie, Matthew Edaghese (Esq.) said, "As you are all aware, the former judge that was hearing this case before his transfer had earlier reserved the ruling for their preliminary objection till when judgement date is ready so that it will be deliver alongside with judgement which is the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

"Then again, the defence counsel brought this application afresh before this new judge and the judge today had also upheld the earlier opinion of the former judge to the effect that the ruling will be delivered alongside with the main judgement.

"The actual intention of that application was to abort this trial, to truncate hearing, l think that intention has not succeeded, hearing will go on, justice will be served in this case."

Meanwhile, the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) and some members of Ologbo community on Wednesday, 21 April held a  peaceful protest in the judicial delay of justice  in the case of alleged conspiracy,  kidnapping and murder of  Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo community, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion, by Chief Johnson Atselege, the Iyasere of Warri and 11 Others.

 

The protesters with different inscriptions, "Johnson is a Criminal', "Government should hear the cry of Ologbo people", "Sunny Must Get Justice, "John is a murderer" and "We need Justice" were led to the premises of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) by the president of Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM),  Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo.

Addressing newsmen, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo said they were at the NUJ premises to register their displeasure with the  judicial delay of criminal case against Chief Johnson Atselege, the Iyasere of Warri and 11 Others for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo community, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.

 

Elder Ugbo said, "we are not happy with the judicial delay of a criminal case against one Johnson Atseleghe, the Iyasere of Warri and 11 others who are involved in the killing of innocent citizens of Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba/Okha local government area of Edo State where he is residing. He has been involved in a lot of criminal activities, for almost a year now, we have been fighting a case of conspiracy, kignapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo community, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.

"These three persons were killed in cold blood by Johnson Atseleghe and his boys in Ologbo Dukedom, and as you all know, we have been fighting this struggle since last year, and just two days back, some of Johnson Atseleghe's boys were captured in Ologbo Dukedom, Johnson gave them the impression that nothing will happen since he was granted bail.

 

“We cannot be bought, we want justice for those that had been killed unjustly by Johnson Atseleghe and his boys, some of his boys had already confessed to their crime, and we have proof of their confession; we have video evidence of their statement made to the police of their involvement in the murder of Sunny Etchie, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion."

Also speaking, the Okaighele of Evboba community in Ologbo Dukedom, Mr. Osarumwense Osaghae said,  "We are tired and fed up with the delay of justice over the death of our brothers, Sunny Etchie, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion. 

"We are surprised that Johnson Atseleghe was granted bail, this is something that is bothering us. Is the law meant for ordinary citizens of this country? Are the rich men in our society above  the law?  These questions need answer from the authorities", he said.

Adding her voice, a lady among the protesters, Eseho Adun said, "I must say that I am still in shock while Johnson Atseleghe is working freely like a free and innocent man till date. All his boys have confessed to the police that they were sent by Johnson Atseleghe to murder our brother Sunny Etchie who was buried and later exhumed and thrown into the river, and they also confessed their involvement in the murder of Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.

 

"Johnson Atseleghe suppose not to be walking freely, because as at yesterday, another of his boys who was arrested confessed that one Johnson Atseleghe sent them to kill Sunny Etchie, Genesis Orji and Okuoimoise Omorodion.

"Our demand is that, Johnson Atseleghe should be returned back to prison because our people are afraid, he is still threatening   our people.  Why should such man enjoy free movement in our society. He think that because he is rich and have connection in government, there is no law that will hold him.

"We are begging the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to act quickly so that the people of Ologbo community can go back to their businesses. 

"The Benins residing in Ologbo community, are they not  part of Edo state who need protection from the government?" she asked.

"Johnson Atseleghe should return to Delta where he comes from and let peace reign in our state, Edo," she appealed.