By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State Special Criminal Court on Monday admitted the nonagenarian father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Edo South senatorial candidate, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and three others to bail in the sum of N1 million each over allegations of cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder and a land dispute.
The presiding judge, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, granted the Suspects bail after rejecting an application by the police seeking their remand in correctional custody for 14 days pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The Suspects, who are yet to be formally arraigned, are Jeff Erese, 43; George Osagiede, 52; Uyi Erese, 35; and Pa. Joseph Iduoriyekemwen (the father of Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Edo South ADC Senatorial Candidate), said to be about 90 years old.
They were brought before the court in Motion No. B/CD/S/55M/26 over allegations bordering on cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder, forceful acquisition of land and self-help.
Moving the Ex-parte Application, counsel to the Applicant, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, and Solicitor-General of the State, Barrister Steven Okoror, urged the court to remand the Suspects for 14 days pending the DPP’s advice.
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.
However, counsel to the Suspects, Barrister Agbonmwandoloyi Osayomwanbor, opposed the application, arguing that Section 295 of the state’s criminal justice law empowered the court to grant them bail.
He maintained that investigations had been concluded and that continued detention was therefore unjustified.
He also drew the court’s attention to the advanced age of the fourth Suspects, Pa. Iduoriyekemwen, and said the Suspects were willing to provide responsible sureties.
In response, Okorom urged the court to deny bail to the first three Suspects, citing the seriousness of the allegations of cultism and the possibility that they might abscond.
He, however, said 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.
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.
He consequently refused the police’s remand application and admitted the four Suspects to bail in the sum of N1 million each, with one surety each in like sum.
He directed that the sureties must be resident in Benin City.