Court sends 52 alleged Ekpoma protesters to prison

A Benin High Court on Monday ordered that the 52 suspected protesters be remanded at Ubiaja Correctional Centre over last Saturday’s protest in Ekpoma, Esan-West LGA, Edo.

Police denied journalists to the court room even as some lawyers wondered at the charges filed against the protesters, ranging from malicious damage to armed robbery.

Some Ambrose Alli University students were among those arrested and remanded following the violent protest in Ekpoma.

The suspects were arraigned through an exparte motion filed by Police Counsel, Polycap Odion, but journalists were denied access to the courtroom.

Presiding Judge, Justice Williams Aziegbemi, said he lacked jurisdiction and advised defence lawyers to file bail applications at Ubiaja High Court.

He remanded the suspects to Ubiaja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to Feb. 26 for hearing.

Edo Police spokesman Eno Ikoedem said the suspects were arrested for engaging in violent protest.

Many defendants claimed they were abducted from their homes overnight or early Sunday morning and taken directly to the Police command in Benin.