By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN CITY—Oredo Magistrate’s Court 1, yesterday remanded a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Rich Arisco Osemwingie, and Patrick Osabuohien, to Oko prison for alleged unlawful coronation of the title of His Royal Majesty, Ogiamien of Utantan, without the approval of the Executive Council of the state and five other charges.

Arisco-Osemwingie and Osabuohien, however pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Mr Henry Idahagbon, who is prosecuting the case on behalf of the state government, told the court: “In Benin, what they did was like a traditional treasonable felony. It’s a traditional coup, a traditional taboo and the Comrade Governor is interested in the peace and orderliness of our state.

“This is something that has the possibility of causing social unrest, civil disturbances and chaos and I think the point has to be made that nobody can so deliberately and flagrantly flout the law in Edo State. Unknown to many people, the traditional institution in Edo State is supported by law and you cannot wake up and declare yourself Ogiamien or any other chieftaincy title. There is a prescribed traditional authority responsible for the conferment of chieftaincy title and traditional rulership on anybody in Edo State.”

Idahagbon urged the court to reject their bail application, stressing that “they did is tantamount to a traditional coup.”
But counsel to the defendants, Mr Godwin Akhene, explained that the charges against the defendants were bailable offences and pleaded with the court to grant them bail to enable him prepare for their defence, pending trial.

Magistrate M.C.Ojobor, however, denied the defendants bail and adjourned the case to September 29, 2015.