An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, has ordered the
state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Funsho Adebanjo to arrest the state Deputy
Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Mr.
Joshua Ibine, for allegedly releasing accused persons on bail, while their
application for bail was pending before the court.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police was also alleged to have
flouted the order of the court to produce the accused persons in court when the
matter came up for hearing, yesterday.
The accused persons, Osas Osawe, Peter Aruyinmwen, Stephen
Osabuohien, Godwin Igbinijesu, Ogbegie Michael, Osaigbovo Ehigiamusoe, Joseph
Igbinijesu and others at large, were alleged to have conspired among themselves
to demolish buildings of the traditional ruler of Evboewedo (Enogie Osarenogowu
Onaghise), and other houses through rioting on November 19, 2012.
They are facing an 18- count charge of conspiracy to commit
felony, contrary to and punishable under section 516 A of the Criminal Code Act
Cap. C38 of the Laws of the Federation 2004, as applicable in Edo State.
Trial judge, Justice J. Oyomire, who gave the order after
hearing prosecuting counsel, said: “In view of the refusal, failure and or
neglect of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal
Investigation Department, Benin City, who released the accused persons on bail
while their bail pending trial by the defence counsel is still pending and yet
to be argued in this court to produce the accused persons in court as ordered
on 7/2/2014.
“It is ordered and I hereby order the Commissioner of
Police, Edo State, to arrest the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of
State Investigation Department.”
The judge ordered that upon arrest, the Deputy Commissioner
of Police should be brought to his court to explain to the court’s
satisfaction, why contempt proceedings should not be brought against him.
“He is to explain where he derived the authority to release
the accused persons, whose case is still pending before this court without any
consent or authorisation of this court and for his failure to produce the
accused persons in court as ordered,” the judge said.
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