Soldiers arrested for disrupting mobile court’s proceedings

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Two soldiers have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in Benin for allegedly disrupting the sitting of a mobile court at the Oba Ovoranmen Square.
Five soldiers reportedly stormed the mobile court after a retired soldier failed to secure the release of his wife, who was set for arraignment before the court.
Policemen attached to the mobile court were said to have resisted the soldiers and there was exchange of gunfire.
According to sources, the soldiers overpowered the policemen and sacked the mobile court. They allegedly upturned seats and canopies and set the suspects free.
Commenting on the incident, Acting Managing Director of Edo State Waste Management Board, Prince Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, explained that several persons were injured in the comotion that followed, and the presiding Magistrate, Ihenyen Aigbediofe, was whisked away to safety.
Akonofua said two of the five soldiers were arrested and the state Police Commissioner, Haliru Gwandu, has promised that the law would take its course.
Confirming the arrest of the soldiers, spokesman of the Edo Police Command, DSP Moses Nkombe, said the State Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the matter.
“It is true. The soldiers went to the mobile court to free some suspects. Our policemen resisted them,” he said.