By Eben Enasco Kingsley, Benin City
Investigating Police Commissioner and a medical doctor on Wednesday testified before Criminal Court Four, High Court in Benin City in the trial of five dismissed policemen over alleged murder of Benson Obodeh a Benin based car dealer 26-year-old, Benson Obodeh.
The two prosecuting witnesses are Dr. Godwin Abeng Boke and a Specialist Forensic Pathologist, a Commissioner of Police in Charge of Pathology for the police nationwide.
The accused, Adeleke Adedeji, Musa Oniyo, Abena John, Henry Shobowale and Joseph Omotosho are being tried on a seven-count charge of murder and stealing.
Recalled that late Benson Obodeh was murdered over an alleged car theft in Benin City in early may, 2015 by the dismissed police corporals attached to Special Anti Robbery squared, SARS, Lagos State Command
Dr. Godwin Abeng Boke, a pathologist with University of Calabar Teaching Hospital told the court presided over by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele that he was appointed to lead a team to carry out a postmortem on late Benson Obode after he was identified by his senior brother, Mr. Solomon Obode.
He said the autopsy was carried out on 30th September 2015, four months and few days Benson Obode was killed under a controversial circumstance.
According to Dr. Godwin Abeng Boke’s testimony, the deceased suffered multiple blood injuries inflicted by objects.
The pathologist also told the court that in his post mortem exercise he discovered that his heart was unusually large for his age which he explained it was an indicative for a long standing heart problem.
Similarly, a Commissioner of Police in Charge of Pathology, Dr. Wilson Akiu who observed the postmortem corroborated the testimony of Dr. Godwin Abeng Boke.
During cross Examination by the defense counsel, Daniel Abdullahi, said he agreed to the report of the pathologists which indicated that his death was as a result of multiple injuries that triggered the heart to fail because the heart itself was already in precarious situation.
Standing before Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, the five suspects are accused to have, in may 2015, stormed Benin City from Lagos and arrested the deceased on allegation of purchasing stolen vehicles who later died in their custody.
The case has been adjourned till 5th April for the continuation of the hearing.
