By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City
A self acclaimed Benin based human rights activist, Kola Edokpaiyi has been arraigned at Oredo Magistrate Court Seven for a two-count charges.
The activist was said to have been rounded up by men of the state police command at his Benin residence in the early hours of Tuesday.
A self acclaimed Benin based human rights activist, Kola Edokpaiyi has been arraigned at Oredo Magistrate Court Seven for a two-count charges.
The activist was said to have been rounded up by men of the state police command at his Benin residence in the early hours of Tuesday.
But at the Oredo Magistrate court seven presided over by a Chief Magistrate Grade One, P. I Foy-Yamah, the activist was charged for felony.
The charge which reads, “That you, Kola Edokpaiyi ‘m’, and others now at large, on March 20, 2017, at NPDC, Sapele road, within the Oredo magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: instigating invasion of Nigeria and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo State.
“That you, Kola Edokpaiyi ‘m’, and others now at large, on March 20, 2017, at NPDC, Sapele road, within the Oredo magisterial district, instigated a group of intellectuals, some of whom are foreigners, to invade the NPDC office in Benin, Government House complex (and) House of Assembly, with a threat to use the military wing of the Benin Solidarity Movement to launch attacks on Uroho, Obayantor, Ajoki, Kolokolo, Ajemongha, Abiola, Ajatitou and Ikara oil-producing communities, all within the territory of Nigeria and, therefore, committed an offence punishable under Section 38 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo.
The accused was said to have allegedly invade Edo state with a group of people some of whom are foreigners to invade the NPDC Office in Benin City, Edo State Government House Complex, Edo State House of Assembly with a threat to use the military wing of the Benin Solidarity Movement to launch attack on oil producing Communities in Edo State.
The presiding Magistrate, P. I Foy-Yamah, said she has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The magistrate therefore said the court will write the DPP for its recommendations.
The case has been adjourned till 29th June for mention.
The charge which reads, “That you, Kola Edokpaiyi ‘m’, and others now at large, on March 20, 2017, at NPDC, Sapele road, within the Oredo magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: instigating invasion of Nigeria and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo State.
“That you, Kola Edokpaiyi ‘m’, and others now at large, on March 20, 2017, at NPDC, Sapele road, within the Oredo magisterial district, instigated a group of intellectuals, some of whom are foreigners, to invade the NPDC office in Benin, Government House complex (and) House of Assembly, with a threat to use the military wing of the Benin Solidarity Movement to launch attacks on Uroho, Obayantor, Ajoki, Kolokolo, Ajemongha, Abiola, Ajatitou and Ikara oil-producing communities, all within the territory of Nigeria and, therefore, committed an offence punishable under Section 38 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo.
The accused was said to have allegedly invade Edo state with a group of people some of whom are foreigners to invade the NPDC Office in Benin City, Edo State Government House Complex, Edo State House of Assembly with a threat to use the military wing of the Benin Solidarity Movement to launch attack on oil producing Communities in Edo State.
The presiding Magistrate, P. I Foy-Yamah, said she has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The magistrate therefore said the court will write the DPP for its recommendations.
The case has been adjourned till 29th June for mention.
It will be recalled that a leader of the group, Curtis Ugbo is still remanded for the same offence.
