THE Edo State Special Criminal Court has rejected an application by the police seeking to remand the nonagenarian father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Edo South senatorial candidate, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and three others in correctional custody over allegations bordering on cultism and a land dispute.
News Point Nigeria reports that the presiding judge, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, held that the application lacked merit and consequently refused the remand request, granting the four suspects bail in the sum of ₦1 million each, with one surety each in like sum.
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The suspects, who are yet to be formally arraigned, are Jeff Erese, 43; George Osagiede, 52; Uyi Erese, 35; and Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of the ADC senatorial candidate, who is said to be about 90 years old.
They were brought before the court in Motion No. B/CD/S/55M/26 over allegations of cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder, forceful acquisition of land and self-help.
Moving the ex parte application, counsel to the applicant and Solicitor-General of Edo State, Barrister Steven Okoror, urged the court to remand the suspects in correctional custody for 14 days pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He said the application was brought pursuant to Sections 293(1) and 296(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo State, 2016.
Opposing the application, counsel to the suspects, Barrister Agbonmwandolor Osayomwanbor, argued that Section 295 of the state’s criminal justice law empowered the court to admit the suspects to bail.
He maintained that investigations had been concluded, leaving no justification for their continued detention.
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Osayomwanbor also drew the court’s attention to the advanced age of the fourth suspect, Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, arguing that the defendants were prepared to provide responsible sureties and would comply with any bail conditions imposed by the court.
He consequently urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
In his response, Okoror urged the court to refuse bail to the first three suspects, citing the gravity of the allegations of cultism and the possibility that they might abscond.
He also faulted the defence for not filing an affidavit in opposition to the application but noted that he was not opposed to bail for the fourth suspect.
In his ruling, Justice Momodu said he had carefully considered the application, the supporting affidavit, the allegations against the suspects and the submissions of counsel on both sides.
The judge held that the application lacked merit, describing the matter as essentially a land dispute and questioning the inclusion of cultism in the allegations.
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He consequently refused the police’s application for remand and admitted the four suspects to bail at ₦1 million each, with one surety each in like sum.
Justice Momodu directed that the sureties must be resident in Benin City.
