From Our Correspondent
High Court in Benin, Edo State, yesterday remanded 52 persons, including students of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, at Ubiaja Correctional Centre for malicious damage and armed robbery.
The presiding judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, who gave the verdict, said he lacked jurisdiction and asked the counsel representing the defendants to file bail applications at Ubiaja High Court.
The judge also adjourned the case to February 26 for hearing.
The suspects were arraigned through an exparte motion filed by the police counsel, P.O Odion.
After the verdict, relatives burst into tears as the suspects were led into a black Maria van.
A man, whose two sons were arrested and gave his name Abdulsalam, said his children did not participate in the protest.
Some counsels for the suspects described as bogus, the charges of malicious damage, armed robbery, preferred against their clients.
A witness, Wisdom Isaac said nobody made complaints against the suspects.
Ejemi Etinbowei said the students never organised the protest, but the family of a kidnap victim that was found dead in the bush last Friday.
Many of the students said they were sleeping in their hostels when they were arrested at about 3am and driven in a black maria to Benin for arraignment.
One of the students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Most of us were arrested early in the morning at about 3am when we were sleeping. I was not involved in the protest or looting.”
However, the zone has been embroiled in crisis after a peaceful protest over insecurity that took place on Saturday turned violent.
Hoodlums hijacked the protest, attacked traders and set tyres on the road to prevent vehicular movement, which was all captured in a viral video.
They also attacked and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an act which was condemned by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested at various locations in Ekpoma.
