Edo Govt Withdraws Charges Against Benin Palace Officials

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Government has withdrawn the criminal charges preferred against the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr Frank Irabor and six others.

The state government had in August 2022, slammed a 29-count charge on the Benin palace functionaries over the alleged demolition of houses in a disputed land in Ulegun village, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

Consequently, the defendants were thereafter remanded in prison custody by Justice Mary Itsueli of Edo State High Court.

At resumed hearing on Wednesday July 3, 2024, the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Orobosa Okunbor, made an application to withdraw the case before Edo State High Court sitting Benin City.

He told the Court that the case was designed for peace and reconciliation by the government, which had paid adequate compensation to persons whose livelihood were impacted by the demolition.

The development was after defendants in the suit, Mr Frank Irabor and others who were led in evidence by their Counsel, Olawola Afolabi (SAN) and Okuns Aihie, had pleaded not guilty to the 29-count change that were read to them in the court.

In a swift reaction to the decision of the government, Irabor thanked the state government and Governor Godwin Obaseki who deemed it fit and appropriate to withdraw the case.

He described the government intervention as a right step in the right direction towards peace and reconciliation.

Irabor said, “On behalf of the chief and other palace functionaries, we like to thank the Edo State government ably led by Governor Godwin Obaseki for deeming it fit and appropriate to withdraw this case that was filed against us. It’s the right step in the right direction.”