TheCable

An Oredo magistrates’ court in Benin on Thursday ordered that Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), be remanded in prison for alleged attempted murder.

C. Ojobo, the chief magistrate, who said she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, directed that both accused persons be taken to Oko Medium Security prison.

She said the prison has proper health facilities and directed that the case file be sent to the directorate of public prosecution for legal advice.

The accused persons were charged with the attempted murder of Osaro Idah, secretary of the party in the state.

Eriyo is the Edo youth leader of the APC and chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN), while Sunday is the ward 3 chairman of the APC in Oredo local government

Their pleas were not taken.

Eriyo protested being handcuffed in the court room.

“Am I a criminal? Did I kill anybody? Why are they charging me for attempted murder?” he asked.

“I didn’t do anything. It is the governor that is oppressing me.”

Usunobun Evbayiro, their counsel, urged the court to grant them custody in the police clinic because of their health.

He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic and diabetic, and need constant medical attention.

“The first accused person collapsed in police station. It was the police doctors that revived him,” he said.

“I urge you to use your discretion to order him to be kept in police hospital so that police doctors can attend to him. It is for him not to die in custody.”

The case was adjourned till January 13 for mention.

The APC chieftains’ supporters had earlier staged protests at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command to demand their release.

The police, however, ignored the protesters and whisked the accused, under heavy security.

Similarly  officials of RTEAN and suspected thugs  attempted to storm the court room but they were barred by the police.

The APC chieftains were arrested following a petition sent to the police by Idah that they threatened his life.