Court Remands ESSN Head, ‘Small Baba’, over Alleged Murder in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

A High Court in Benin City, Edo State, has ordered the remand of 54-year-old Head of Tactical Teams of Edo State Security Network (ESSN), Mr. Osarenren Johnson (also known as  Small Baba), over alleged murder and other crimes.

Johnson, it would be recalled was arrested alongside others by the police command in the state following a bloodbath that recently occurred in Okhunmwun Community in Ovia North-east Local Government Area of Edo that claimed the lives of eight persons.

The police said that small Johnson was arrested for leading other members of his team killed in an ambush at Okhunmwun which the police said was not his area of coverage, without due authority.

The accused, whose address was not provided, is facing a six-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, armed attack on Okhunmwun Community, promoting armed attack on community and cultism before the state High Court.

The charge read in part: That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on or about the 21st day of September, 2023 at Okhunmwun Community, near Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba)  and others now at large on or about the 21st day of September, 2023 at Okhunmwun, near Benin, within the Benin Criminal Division, did murder one Osas Orobor ‘m’ and Endurance Ighoretin ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on the same date, place and in the aforesaid Criminal Division, did attempt to murder one Peter Omoregie ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 243(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’(A.K.A Small Baba)  and others now at large, on or about the 21st day of September, 2023, at Okhunmwun Community, near Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Promoting Armed Attack on Community and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on the same date, place and in the aforesaid Criminal Division, did carry on armed attack against a section of the people of Okhunmwun Community and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 64 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2023.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A. Small Baba) on  or about the year 2022 in Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did become a member of Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 44 (a) of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2023.”

The police through a Motion Ex parte No. B/CD/2777m/23 dated September 29, 2023 sought an order from the court to remand the accused (Small Baba) in Correctional Centre for an initial period of 14 days pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the case.

It submitted that Section 293 (1) Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo State, 2016 provided that “a suspect arrested for an offence which a Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to try shall within a reasonable time of arrest be brought before a High Court for remand.”

The complainant (police) who supported the motion with eight paragraph Affidavit and one exhibit prayed the court to grant the application on the interest of justice and circumstances of the case.

The court after listening to the submissions of complainant, however, granted the application and adjourned the case to November 8, 2023.