Two APC Chieftains Remanded In Prison For Attempted Murder

Detained APC Chieftain, Eriyo

Two chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State, Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, have been ordered on Thursday to be remanded in prison custody for an alleged attempted murder by an Oredo Magistrates’court in Benin, Edo State.

Chief Magistrate Mrs M. C. Ojobo, who said she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, directed that both accused persons be remanded in Oko Medium Security prison.

She said the prison has proper health facilities and directed that the case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

The accused persons were charged with the attempted murder of Chief Osaro Idah, Secretary of the state’s APC.

Eriyo is the State Youth Leader of the APC and State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, while Sunday is the Ward 3 Chairman of the APC in Oredo Local Government.

Their pleas were not taken.

Eriyo, however protested being handcuffed in the court room.

He said, “Am I a criminal? Did I kill anybody? Why are they charging me for attempted murder?

“I didn’t do anything. It is the governor that is oppressing me.”

Their Counsel, Usunobun Evbayiro, urged the court to grant them custody in the police clinic because of their ill-health.

He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic and diabetic and need constant medical attention.

“The first accused person collapsed in police station. It was the police doctors that revived him.

” I urge you to use your discretion to order him to be kept in police hospital so that police doctors can attend to him. It is for him not to die in custody.”

The case has been adjourned till 13 January, 2017 for mention.

NAN