Edo State Special Criminal Court has declined a police request to keep the 90-year-old father of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate and three other men in custody over allegations involving a land dispute, cultism and attempted murder.
Instead, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu granted each of the four defendants bail in the sum of N1 million, with one surety of the same amount.
The defendants are Pa. Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of ADC Edo South senatorial candidate Matthew Iduoriyekemwen; Jeff Erese, 43; George Osagiede, 52; and Uyi Erese, 35.
They were brought before the court in connection with allegations of conspiracy, cultism, attempted murder, forceful acquisition of land and self-help. They have yet to be formally arraigned on the allegations.
The police had asked the court to order their detention in a correctional facility for 14 days while awaiting the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Moving the application, the Edo State Solicitor-General, Barrister Steven Okoror, relied on Sections 293(1) and 296(1) of the state’s Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2016.
But defence counsel, Barrister Agbonmwandolor Osayomwanbor, urged the court to reject the request, arguing that the law empowered it to grant bail and that investigations had already been completed.
He also drew attention to the advanced age of Pa. Iduoriyekemwen, telling the court that the defendants were ready to provide responsible sureties and comply with any conditions imposed on them.
Okoror, however, opposed bail for the first three defendants, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the possibility that they could abscond. He also complained that the defence had not filed an affidavit opposing the remand application, although he indicated that he would not oppose bail for the elderly defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Momodu said he had considered the application, the supporting affidavit and the arguments presented by both sides before reaching his decision.
The judge questioned the inclusion of cultism in a matter he viewed as essentially a land dispute and concluded that the police had not made a sufficient case for the requested remand.
He consequently rejected the application and granted bail to all four defendants at N1 million each, with one surety each in the same amount.
The court further directed that the sureties must be residents of Benin City.
The ruling means the four men will not be held in custody under the remand order sought by the police, subject to compliance with the court’s bail conditions. The allegations against them remain allegations, as they have not yet been formally arraigned.
