BY JOE FAVOUR / WARRI
The traditional ruler of Evwreni kingdom, HRM Oghenekevwe Kumane, have been docked arraigned for an alleged terrorism and murder before Hon Justice Okon Effreti Abang of the Federal High Court, Warri Delta state.
The traditional ruler was arraign along side, Atiri Stephen, Kelly Omojughere Kumane over an alleged crisis that led to the killing of Omoghene Akakor and Sylvester Adjogbe respectively in an amended 10-Count charges in a suit no: FHC/WR/95C/2020.
It would be recall that the monarch appeared in court in June 9, 2022 for arraignment but the process was aborted as the trial Judge was unavoidably absent and the case adjourned to October 25, 2022.
The Judge, Okon Effreti Abang had earlier informed both parties in June 9, 2022 that the court would only entertain fundamental human right cases on that day which leading to the adjournment.
At the resumed sitting, HRM Kumane and 2 others pleaded not guilty in the amended 10 count charges read before them by the Court Registrar.
The court case listed no 5, lasted for over 5 hours before traditional ruler was granted an oral bail of N10,000000 (Ten million naira) after an application by his led counsel, Chief Albert Akpomudje SAN while two others, Atiri Stephen and Kelly Omojughere were reminded at the correctional centre
According the prosecuting led counsel, Mr Sani Bagudu of the federal Ministry of Justice who stood for the Attorney of the federation, “Granting the traditional and other accuse bail without filing application should not be accepted by the court as they might like jump bail.
“The offence of the accused persons is a capital offence under the law which the bail should not be granted in an oral application.
In his judgement, Hon Justice Okon Effreti Abang said, “My lord, I have considered the argument of learned SAN and learned counsel for the prosecution, they have spoken well, i do hope.
“First of all i agreed with the prosecuting learned counsel that the court is a place of records and same time i a agreed with the learned SAN that the court is a place of summary and jurisdiction and the court can take application for bail orally.
“In the light of the above, the first defendant (HRM Oghenekevwe Kumane) is admitted to bail with the sum N10,000,000 ( Ten Million naira) with just one surety who must be a responsible citizen in Delta state with a verifiable address.
“The surety shall swear an affidavit that is capable to refund together sum with two passport photograph and a verifiable address. The 2nd and 3rd defendants, (Stephen Atiri) and (Kelly Omojuhere Kumane) are to remain in custody as their oral application for their bail is refused till the January 30 and 31, 2023 the next adjourned date for commencement of trial”.
