Friday, March 29, 2024

Benin chief, 3 others arraigned over destruction of graves, tombs 

A chief in the palace of the Oba of Benin, Chief John Adun, 61, and three other persons have been arraigned before an Egor Magistrate Court on a six-count charge bearing on forgery of documents, procuring execution of deeds by threat, destroying a building valued at N22million and destruction of six graves/tombs, among others.
Other accused persons are Omorogbe Austin’s, 36, and Festus Etta, 39.
Count one of the charge stated that the accused persons on January 15, 2015 at No 114, Uselu Lagos Road, Benin, conspired and forged a document for sharing property of the late Victor Igbinosun Okunoghae, thereby committing an offence contrary and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable to Edo state.
According to count two, the accused persons allegedly forged a document purported to be a title document of Plot 114. Uselu Lagos Road Benin, property of late Victor Igbinosun Okunoghae, thereby committing an offence contrary and punishable under Section 467 (2) (d) of the criminal code  Cap 48 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable to Edo State.
The accused persons were also accused of procuring execution of deeds by threat with intent to defraud and by means of unlawful violence in respect of the property known as No 114, Uselu Lagos Road, Benin, thereby committing an offence contrary and punishable under section 409 of the criminal code Cap 48 Vol 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 as applicable to Edo State.
They were further accused of allegedly conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by threatening and chasing away with violence one Mrs. Loveth Austie Obasuyi in the attempt to unlawfully procure execution of deed against her brother and thereby committing an offence contrary and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol 11 of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria as applicable to Edo State.
They were also accused of allegedly destroying a building worth N22million, the only property of late Victor Igbinosun Okunoghae family and further destroying six existing graves/tombs therein, committing an offence contrary and punishable under section 451 of the Criminal code cap 48 Vol. 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria as applicable to Edo state.
When the case came up for mention, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges just as the court granted the applications of the counsel to the accused that bails earlier granted to them remained.
Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Igho Braimoh, also directed the Registrar of the court to re-verify the bail earlier granted to the accused and adjourned hearing to August 28, 20

Popular Articles