By Eben Enasco Kingsley, Benin City
Oredo Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State capital yesterday arraigned and detained the State Youth Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Osapkamwan Eriyo and one other party Chieftain, Sunday Osagbona, over alleged attempted murder of its party secretary, Chief Osaro Idah.
The duo in company with some wards leaders were arrested, detained by the state police command precisely 26th December 2016 and consequently charged to court following a petition to the State Police Commissioner by the State party Secretary, Chief Osaro Idah over alleged threat to life
Two count charges of attempted murdered were preferred against them.
Their plea to get bailed by their Counsel, Usunobun Evbayiro, in what he described as a ‘Christmas application’ was rejected by the court as he further prayed the court to grant them custody in the police clinic on grounds of ill-health.
He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic, have high blood sugar and need constant medical attention.
In her rulings, the Presiding Magistrate, M.C Ojobo said the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter and therefore directed that the case file be sent to Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) for legal advice.
She thereafter ordered that they should be reminded in prison custody while the case was consequently adjourned for January 13, 2017
Meanwhile, the embattled youth leader, Eriyo Osapkamwan has dragged the Inspector General of Police, the State Commissioner of Police and the State party secretary, Chief Osaro Idah before a Benin High Court over his continues detention by the police which he claimed amounts to bridged of his fundamental right to personal liberty.
Eriyo through his Counsel, Barrister Tom Oaikhinan equally demanded N1billion as compensation for exemplary and aggravated damages and public apology from the respondents for illegal and unconstitutional violation of their rights.
In the suit, the applicant prayed the court to declared his arrest, detention on the 26 December, 2016 without any scintilla of offenses as an outright violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and Articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement)/Act Cap 10 , Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.
He also sought a court order, compelling the respondents, their officers, agents, servants, privies or otherwise, to forthwith release them from the unlawful.
Counsel to arrested wards leaders, Mr. Ebosele Okhifoh who spoke with newsmen in Benin City said the situation became more worrisome following the blunt refusal of the police authority to allowed him access to his clients.
He therefore appealed to the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to intervene on matter as it was related to their party.
