FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Case of alleged theft of a stabiliser against a former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Benin branch, Douglas Ogbankwa, has suffered setback at the instance of the prosecution.
At the hearing which came up yesterday, Justice Williams Aziegbemhin revealed that there was a letter by the new state Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for adjournment in view of a visit to the various criminal courts of jurisdiction.
Charged with conspiracy to commit felony, forcible entry, wilful damage, theft, aiding and abetting and forceful ejection, the prosecution alleged that the former NBA scribe stole a stabiliser belonging to Sandra Palmer-Kelvin and also forcefully ejected her from her matrimonial home.
Ogbankwa and others, now at large, had in January 2023, at 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin, allegedly damaged door keys belonging to Palmer-Kelvin, an offence punishable under Sections 412, 56(1), 353, 294(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State 2022, and Section 14(3) of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Edo State 2021.
Counsel to the petitioner, Abraham Oviawe expressed reservation over the delay of justice in the matter.
Oviawe told the court that there had been a series of adjournments aimed at frustrating his client’s hope of getting justice.
“My Lord, my client has been asking me one question which I have found difficult to answer. She has severally asked me if the defendant is too big for the judiciary,” Oviawe told the court.
He said pleas are yet to be taken after the matter was instituted over a year ago.
However, counsel to Ogbankwa, Emmanuel Usoh appealed to the court to give his client more time to resolve the issue.
Justice Aziegbemhin emphasised the need to give the new DPP the benefit of doubt, saying the lawyer had no difficulty answering the question.
The matter was consequently adjourned to March 4 for definite hearing.
