BY SIMON   EBEGBULEM

BENIN – President of African Network for Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, who was detained by the police over the murder of the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, has been exonerated from the crime by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Edo State Ministry of Justice.

In the letter dated October 29, 2012, with reference no 01/s.6712/15, addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, “D” Department, Force Headquarters in Abuja and signed by Ade Irehovbude, the DPP said his legal advice was sought in the case number FHQ/ABJ/X/SARS/540/2012 on Inspector General of Police versus 10 persons including David Ugolor.

It observed that some of the suspects and gun alleged to have been used by the killers of Olaitan were already in police custody before the 4th of May when Olaitan was killed.

It said while two of the suspects, Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman were said to have confessed to the crime, “we are constrained to observe that the investigation report suggests clearly that the said Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman, had been in the custody of the Edo Police Command since 24/04/12, in respect of a case of unlawful possession of catridges before the suspects were taken over by the FCID, interrogated and reportedly confessed to this incident that took place on the 4th of May, 2012. This is evidently incongruous.”

The DPP said it was also noted that the cut to size locally made gun allegedly used for the killing of Olaitan was said to have been recovered on  April 24, by the Esigie Police Division, Benin City.

He said: “This is alleged to be a weapon used during the robbery incident that took place on th May 4, 2012. Another incongruity. Could a weapon recovered and in possession of the police be confirmed by suspects to have been used for the commission of the offence?”