Enigie Vs Oba Of Benin: Court Bars Journalists As Hearing Begins Afresh Oct 17

The Edo State High Court sitting at Court Six in Benin City barred journalists from covering the case involving the suspended Enigie (Dukes) of Benin Kingdom and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II when the hearing resumed on Monday.

The Court also said the case will start afresh on October 17 with a new judge taking over the case due to postings within the state judiciary.

Justice Peter Akhihiero who was presiding over the case has been transferred from the court which informed its transfer to Justice M.N. Asemota who will now hear the case afresh.

The suspended Enigie (Dukes) led by Duke of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen Siluko Dukedoms in Benin Kingdom, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen are challenging their suspension from office by the Oba.

At the last hearing on May 9, over 100 priests, priestesses, and palace chiefs stormed the High Court pronouncing curses against the enemies of the Oba.

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This led the state government through it Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, to issue a warning to those who might be planning to disrupt Monday’s proceeding, urging them not to intimidate lawyers and judges in the discharge of their duties.

However, the mass gathering and disruption did not take place at the court on Monday and the matter has been adjourned to October 17 when the case is expected to begin afresh.

One of the defense lawyers, Samson Osagie, said that the posting within the state judiciary led to the transfer of judges from different judicial divisions.

He said, “The case was adjourned to October 17 when it will start afresh because of posting within the Edo State Judiciary, leading to transfer of judges from different judicial divisions.

“Today, Court Six that is handling the matter has indicated that as a new judge, the matter will have to start de novo, what that means is that it has to start afresh. This is so because it was not the judge who was handling it before that is now handling the matter; and that is the position of the law.

“Nothing happened today (Monday) in terms of proceedings except that the matter was mentioned again for the first time and the court ruled that the matter has to start afresh on October 17,” he added.