Kingship tussle: Delta Court Convicts 9 Persons over case of forgery

Chief  Magistrate Court in the Warri Magisterial District sitting in Warri,Delta State has  found nine(9) indigenes of Egrangbene Community guilty in a case of forgery of document in a matter before the Court. 

The nine persons are: Abemor Borikere(M), Selekowei Bruce(M), Bioukeme Benibo(M), Safademebo Eniyegbolokumor, Brobo Alele(M), Yougha Egboge(M), Bonke England(M), Chief Djokari Meli(M) and Chief Lawyer Olotuyei(M)

The Court presided over by His Worship, E.O. Odjugo Esq(Chief Magistrate, Special Grade) found them guilty on the 18th day of November, 2024 in charge No: WM/161C/2020. 

The case was between the defendants and the Commissioner of Police, the complainant. 

Part of the Court's judgment read thus,"This Court finds as a fact that all the Defendants are guilty of Count 1 of the Charge. That is my finding, and I also hold. 

"In sim, this Court finds that all the Defendants found Guilty in respect of Counts I,II,III,IV,V,,VI and IX  of the charge. 

"In respect of Count VIII of the charge, they are found Not Guilty is respect of same."

The Police had charged the defendants before the Court on a nine(9)- Count Amended charge of Conspiracy punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol 1, Laws of Delta State 2006(Count 1), forgery punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code, Supra(Count II,III,IV&V) and also for aiding, abetting, counselling procuring under Section 7 of the Criminal Code,Supra (Count VI, VII and IX of the Criminal Code, Supra.

However, it was learnt that the nine defendants pleaded not guilty to count charges preferred against them. 

It was also gathered that the Prosecution called five witnesses and they're PW(1)-(Sisei Egbe) PW2 -(Zipu Alele), PW3 -(Oweizide Awusa), PW4-(Oboye Omonibeke) and PW5-(ASP Charles Fakunle). 

The Defendants testified for themselves and called one witness as FW1,DW2,DW3, DW4,DW5,FW6,DW7,DW8 and DW9. They also filed witnesses statement on deposition and then adopted same as their testimonies before they were cross examined. Several exhibits were tendered ranging from Exhibit A-R9 respectively. 

Counsel to the Prosecution, Prof. Izebuwa filed his written final address on the 4th of November, 2024 and adopted same in Court. Counsel to the Defendants, Preye Onduku quickly filed a motion dated 19th of November,2024 praying the Court to allow for an abridgement of time to allow the Defendants written address to be filed and argued in the charge. The motion was granted as prayed. 

Prosecution proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

In a chat with newsmen in Warri, the Chairman/Managing Director of Ocan Marine Services Nigeria Limited,Mr. Owen Nanakumoh  Esq. said the Defendants stand as "Ex-Convicts" by virtue of their convictions by the Court. 

Mr. Nanakumoh said, "And as ex-convicts, they shall neither be eligible to hold any public office or public service jobs or appointment nor parade themselves or be addressed as Chiefs whatsoever until or/and unless they are pardoned by the STATE."

According to Mr. Nanakumoh, "These ex-convicts by this judgment have ceased to be Chiefs and should in their own interest be advised forthwith as same has been escalated to every quarter including all  security agencies."

The matter which led to the forgery of documents is sequel to the kingship tussle has been lingering especially as it has to do with the installation of Henry Okrikpa as King in Egrangbene Federated Communities. The defendants who were dissatisfied instead conspired amongst themselves and wrote letters to the Burutu Council Chairman as they also dissociated themselves from the crowned King.