Edo task force boss gets bail

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN – THE embattled chairman of the Edo State Task Force on Illegal Structures and Vandalisation, Major Law-rence Loye(rtd), was, yester-day, admitted to bail by a Benin Magistrate Court.

It will be recalled that Governor Adams Oshiomhole had ordered the arrest and prosecution of Maj. Loye who was accused of demolishing the houses of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie without the consent of government.

Loye was denied bail penultimate week and was remanded in prison. Howe-ver, a non-governmental organisation, Community Assistance and Cooperative Outreach, led a team of lawyers, who argued his bail application yesterday. Among the lawyers were Chief Osaheni Uzamere, former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Idada Ikpomnwen and 10 others.

It was a tensed atmosphere at the court as placard-carrying youths stormed the court, calling for the release of Loye. Proceeding did not start until about 2:20pm.

However, when the proceeding commenced, a representative of the state Ministry of Justice informed the court that the state government had taken over the case from the Police.

Lead counsel to Loye, Chief Uzamere said he had no objection, but that was an indication that the case had “taken another dimension.”

Magistrate Steven Omonua granted bail after he said the prosecution failed to convince the court on why it should not grant bail. He adjourned the case till November 4 for hearing.

Uzamere hailed the ruling, saying “the battle had just started and our team is ready. We are happy because this has to do with the right of a human being and today he has been freed from detention.”