Alleged Murder: Court Admits Traditional Ruler to N2m Bail

A High Court in Benin on Monday, admitted the Iyatsere of Warri, Johnson Atseleghe, charged with alleged murder to bail in the sum of N2 million.
Delivering a ruling, Justice Efe Ikponmwoba, also ordered the defendant to produce one surety in like sum, who must own a property and must have a Certificate of Occupancy.
The judge held that the court’s decision to grant the defendant bail arose from the absence of facilities to manage his diabetics, hypertension and cataract in police custody.
The judge ordered the defendant be available to face trial as averred in his affidavit in support of the motion for bail.
The defendant and 11 others are charged with alleged conspiracy, kidnap and murder.
They were alleged to have murdered Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele (Youth leader) of Kolokolo community in Edo.
Other defendants are Felicia Otikpere, 55; Oluwa Esimije, 38; Monday Iluwa, 58; Ayokotse Robinson, 54; Nosa Omoregie, 54; and Mofe Samuel, 40.
Also charged are Magnanimous Omawumi, 40; Ayuwa More, 65; Amerete Ejiro, 25; Onyeburutan Jeffrey, 25; and Benjamin Erewa, 39.
The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.