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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