A High Court in Benin City has remanded two individuals, Sunday Divine, 25, and Chijioke Odoria, 27, in the custody of the Edo State Police Command pending further investigation into allegations of conspiracy and robbery. The ruling was delivered on Friday by Justice Williams Aziegbemhin.
Divine and Odoria, whose addresses were not disclosed during the proceedings, are facing a two-count charge related to the alleged incident. Justice Aziegbemhin opted not to take the defendants’ pleas at this stage of the proceedings.
The case has been adjourned until April 1st to allow for the completion of the ongoing police investigation.
According to the prosecutor, Mr. Emmanuel Ekibade, the alleged offenses occurred on March 11th at the back of Evidence of Gospel Church in Isihor, Benin City. Ekibade stated that the defendants allegedly conspired to rob one Kingsley Ehanire of his tricycle, commonly known as “Keke-Napep,” the value of which remains undetermined.
“The defendants conspired and robbed one Kingsley Ehanire of his tricycle (Keke-Napep), the value of which is yet to be ascertained,” Ekibade told the court.
He further argued that the alleged actions of Divine and Odoria contravene Section 1 (1) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act Cap RII, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
Ekibade urged the court to remand the defendants in police custody, stating this was necessary to ensure the proper conclusion of the investigation.
