Benin City– The Edo State government has withdrawn criminal charges against Mr. Frank Irabor, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), and six other officials.
These charges stemmed from the demolition of allegedly illegal properties in Ulegun village, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, in August 2022.
In August 2022, the state government filed a 29-count charge against several palace officials, including Mr. Irabor, related to the contentious demolition. Subsequently, Justice Mary Itsueli of the Edo State High Court remanded the defendants in prison custody.
At a resumed hearing on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Edo State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Orobosa Okunbor applied to withdraw the case at the Edo State High Court in Benin City. Okunbor stated that the case was intended to foster peace and reconciliation, noting that the government had compensated individuals whose livelihoods were impacted by the demolition.
The decision to withdraw the charges came after Mr. Frank Irabor and other defendants, represented by their counsel Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) Olawola Afolabi and Okuns Aihie, pleaded not guilty to the 29-count charge.
Reacting swiftly to the government’s decision, Mr. Irabor expressed gratitude to the state government and Governor Godwin Obaseki. He lauded the intervention as a positive step towards achieving peace and reconciliation in the community.
This development marks a significant move towards resolving the disputes arising from the August 2022 demolitions, with the state government emphasizing its commitment to peace and community welfare.
