From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
An Edo State High Court in Benin, yesterday, remanded the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor and six others in prison custody.
Others are Chief Oko-Oboh Ebosele, 63; Aghavbere Osawemwenguan, 64; Abel Oko Oboh, 45; Tuesday Atagamene, 52; Okechukwu Okeke, 27; and Ode Uloko, 24.
The defendants are facing prosecution for their alleged involvement in the illegal demolition of over 80 houses in Ulegun Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
They were arrested on Wednesday by the Edo State Police Command and charged to court yesterday.
The presiding Judge, Justice Mary Itsueli ordered the defendants to be remanded in the Oko maximum prison pending receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.
Their arrest and prosecution by the police followed several protests and pleas by Ulegun community for justice for the illegal destruction of their property worth millions of naira, as well as alleged intimidation, harassment and disregard for the rule of law.
Recall that the community had last Monday, protested the alleged demolition of several houses in their community, as well as arrest and maiming of their Village Head (Enogie), Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie, and the community’s Chief Priest (Ohen), Philip Uwuoroya, by a group of chiefs, led by Frank Irabor.
The protesters included land developers, women, leaders and youths in the community, among others.
They took their protest to the Government House, where they called on the state government to intervene and rescue them from the hands of those they described as “tormentors.”
The community lamented that the demolition of their houses allegedly led by Frank Irabor and his co-travelers, has left many residents homeless, inflicting pains and sufferings on the people, even as they expressed worry that the state may soon plunge into crisis if nothing is done to curtail these excesses and penchant for illegality.