By Simeon OSAJIE
An Edo State High Court, Criminal Court 4, sitting in Benin, in the state capital has discontinued a criminal case of theft filed against a former publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa, for allegedly stealing a stabilizer after the accused took plea.
Discharging the case, the presiding judge of the Criminal Court 4, Justice Rachael Ogbevoen announced that there was a letter from the Attorney-General’s office, through the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), stating that the AG, Barr. Samson Osagie would discontinue the case. This happen was after Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa has taken plea.
She said the case fell under Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives the Attorney-General the power to discontinue a matter at any stage before judgment is delivered.
Ogbankwa had appeared before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba on March 28, 2024, but the plea was not taken as one of his defendants, Emmanuel Usoh, appealed to the court to give his client more time to resolve the issues.
The prosecution counsel, Orobosa Okunbor, however, did not oppose the application.
Subsequently, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba adjourned the case to July 6, 2024 for a settlement report. However, the case was reassigned to Justice Williams Aziegbemhin.
Upon being called up, the case suffered several setbacks at the instance of the prosecution.
On April 2, 2025, Mr. Ogbankwa promptly protested the fresh charge, arguing he had just been served the amended charge and couldn’t take his plea.
This led to a war of words between presiding judge, Justice Aziegbemhin, Ogbankwa with the judge cautioning Ogbankwa not to turn the court into a marketplace.
The judge eventually excused himself from the case, and the case file was returned to the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, who reassigned it to Justice Rachael Ogbevoen.
Ogbankwa was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, forcible entry, willful damage, theft, forceful ejection, and aiding and abetting forceful ejection.
The prosecution alleged that Ogbankwa and others damaged door keys belonging to Sandra Palmer-Kelvin and stole one stabilizer belonging to her, also forcefully ejecting her from her matrimonial home.