Evwreni Crisis: Court remands suspected arsonist, Odeimor; orders police to produce other suspects in court 

A High Court, Ughelli Division has on Thursday ordered that Hon Ezekiel Odeimor (M), a suspect in the case of Arson at Evwreni Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State to be remanded in police custody till Tuesday next week.

Justice Edun gave the order in a case with suit number UHC/12C/2021 between the State and Ese Emonina (M), Hon Ezekiel Odeimor (M), Kenude Oboga Onome (M), Amabure Okome Joseph (M), and Hitler Christopher (M), during the arraignment of the suspects.

The five suspects who are accused of Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: Arson and Arson on the 10^th day of October 2020, at Evwreni Community where they allegedly attacked and willfully set fire on the houses of Prince Uba Mattew, Godsgrace O. Amrophe and others.

Four out of the five suspects who were arraigned on a three-count charge failed to show up in court, save for Hon Ezekiel Odeimor (M), who the police brought to court and told the State counsel that they are still trailing other suspects to bring them to court.

The State counsel, Barr (Mrs) N. B Ogwezzy had appealed to the court to secure the suspect, Hon Ezekiel Odeimor which was brought to the court since the police were unable to produce others in court, to ensure that he faces trial.

She averred that if the court allows him to go, as requested by the defence counsel, that there is no guarantee that he will be available to face prosecution since it took them almost a year to get him to court, adding that the police has washed its hand off him by bringing him to court.

Justice Edun after listening to the arguments of both counsel gave an order that the suspected be reminded in Police custody till the next adjourned date, Tuesday, 5th October 2021, and that the police should produce the three remaining suspects on that date.

The suspects are charged with 3 counts charge which reads:

Count 1: That Ese Emonina (M), Hon Ezekiel Odeimor (M), Kenude Oboga Onome (M), Amabure Okome Joseph (M), and Hitler Christopher (M), on or about the 10^th day of October 2020 at Evwreni Community in Ughelli, within the Ughelli Criminal Division conspired with one another to commit a felony to wit: Arson. The Offence is punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

Count 11: That Ese Emonina (M), Hon Ezekiel Odeimor (M), Kenude Oboga Onome (M), Amabure Okome Joseph (M), and Hitler Christopher (M), on or about the 10^th day of October 2020 at Evwreni Community in Ughelli, within the Ughelli Criminal Division willfully set fire on the dwelling house of one Prince Uba Mattew (M). The Offence is punishable under section 443 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

Count 111: That Ese Emonina (M), Hon Ezekiel Odeimor (M), Kenude Oboga Onome (M), Amabure Okome Joseph (M), and Hitler Christopher (M), on or about the 10^th day of October 2020 at Evwreni Community in Ughelli, within the Ughelli Criminal Division willfully set fire on the dwelling house of one Godsgrace O. Amrophe (M). The offence is punishable under section 443 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.