Alleged killer policeman to stay long in prison custody, as Appeal Court reserves ruling on bail application

Barr. Matthew Osa Oghogho, counsel to the appellant, Corporal Adeleke Adedeji to secure bail application for his client, over the alleged killing of Benson Obode at the Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, met a brick wall on Monday.

The Presiding Judge, Justice J. O. Bada in his admonition during the hearing from both counsels hereby reserved the ruling on the application  further notice in order to ascertain the gravity of the case.

Justice Bada having listened to both counsels, advised them not to be overwhelmed with emotions, but should handle the matter professionally.

It could be recalled that the late Benson Obode, 25, was murdered over an alleged car theft in Benin City in May 2015, by Corporals Adeleke Adedeji, Abena John, Oniyo Musa, Henry Shobowole and Constable Joseph Omotosho.

They were however charged on a seven-count-charge on murder and stealing at the Federal High Court, Benin City, where the case is ongoing.

Barr. Matthew Osas Oghogho, counsel to the appellant, noted that he approached the court for bail application on behalf of his client, Adedeji after several attempts at the Federal High Court proved abortive.

He added that such bail application was to enable his client to have assess to medical attention, having filed five different bail applications to the Federal High Court, but were turned down by the court.

In his submission before the court, he hereby prayed the court to grant his client bail application, with the promise that he would not jump bail.

However, counsel to the deceased , Barr. Charity Ebosele vehemently opposed to the bail application, and asked the court not to grant the bail application filed by the appellant  through his lawyer, while she affirmed that the accused person was not sick as claimed by his lawyer.

She hinted that the several applications filed by the accused person was to frustrate the process of getting justice.

Meanwhile, after several presentations by the two counsels, the presiding judge, Justice J.O Bada having listened to both counsels, advised them not to be overwhelmed with emotions, but should handle the matter professionally, just he reserved ruling till further notice.