22nd June, 2022
By Deborah Coker
Chief Johnson Atseleghe, the Head of Ikaye community in the oil-rich Ologbo community and the Iyasere of Warri was arraigned on a seven-count charge of Assault and malicious destruction of property in Ologbo dukedom, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Edo, before Justice Efe Ikponnwonba of Edo High Court on Tuesday.
Atseleghe, 54, according to the police Prosecutor, DSP Orobosa Okunbor, committed the offence on the Feb. 2, at Ologbo in the Benin judicial Division.
He said Atseleghe conspired ” to carry on warlike undertaking, malicious damage, punishable under section 517 of the Criminal code, cap. 48.vol.11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976 as applicable in Edo state.”
Okunbor therefore urged the court not to grant him bail, maintaining that he was fond of formenting trouble when granted bail.
He cited previous criminal cases of murder against Atseleghe, in which he was granted bail before he allegedly committed new offences.
Atseleghe, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
His Counsel, Eghedosa Imhandegbelo (SAN) in his oral bail application, urged the court to grant him bail.
The presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, however, adjourned the case to June 27, for hearing of application for bail.
(NAN