29th November, 2012
Edo State-based human and environmental rights activist, Rev. David Ugolor, the alleged sponsor of the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal/Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole was this morning discharged and acquitted by a magistrate court sitting in Benin.
Rev. Ugolor who was arrested on July 27, 2012 on the grounds that one of the suspects arrested by the police in Benin confessed that he was their sponsor, was later later arraigned and remanded in prison custody with nine others by the magistrate court where Ugolor spent 41 days before he was granted bail.
He was later awarded N5 million general damage by a Benin High Court for unlawful detention by the police.
When the case came up for hearing this morning, Counsel to Rev. Ugolor and Wilfred Iserhienrhien (7 and 8 accused persons respectively), Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi, drew the attention of the court to a letter addressed to it by the state Ministry of Justice exonerating the accused persons from the case.
Delivering judgement on the case, Chief Magistrate Francis Idiake ordered that the two accused persons be released unconditionally.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the accused persons, Barr. Afolabi expressed confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
He disclosed that his client will now pursue the payment of the N5 million awarded him against the police.
In his reaction, elated Rev. Ugolor thanked God, the press and the international community for standing by him.
He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to put an end to the culture of impunity in the police.
“The judge has confirmed that the police framed me up. Impunity by the police must stop, if not, the people might resort to violence if impunity by the police is allowed to continue. The judgement has also shown that with the judiciary and the media, the common man still have hope,” Ugolor said.
—JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin