Edo Judge Blasts Police Over Cultism Charges Against 90-Year-Old Pa Iduoriyekemwen, Grants Bail to 4
A judge of the Edo State Special Criminal Court, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, has questioned the police decision to charge 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen and three others with cultism, describing the case as essentially a land dispute.
Justice Momodu made the observation on Monday while ruling on Motion No. B/CD/S/55M/26, through which the police sought an order to remand the four defendants in correctional custody for 14 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Pa Iduoriyekemwen is the father of Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Edo South Senatorial District in the 2027 election.
The other defendants are Jeff Erese, 43; George Osagiede, 52; and Uyi Erese, 35. They face allegations bordering on cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder, forceful acquisition of land and self-help.
Moving the application, the Edo State Solicitor-General, Barrister Steven Okoror, who appeared for the applicant, argued that the defendants should remain in custody pending the DPP’s advice.
Okoror relied on Sections 293(1) and 296(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo State, 2016, to support the request for their remand.
He urged the court to deny bail to the first three defendants, citing the seriousness of the cultism allegation, but did not oppose bail for the 90-year-old.
However, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Agbonmwandolor Osayomwanbor, opposed the application, invoking Section 295 of the same law to seek their release on bail.
He argued that investigations had been concluded and questioned the justification for keeping the defendants in custody. He also appealed for leniency for Pa Iduoriyekemwen, given his advanced age, assuring the court that responsible sureties resident in Benin City would be produced.
In his ruling, Justice Momodu said his review of the affidavit evidence and submissions from both sides showed no sufficient basis to grant the police request for a 14-day remand.
The judge questioned the introduction of cultism allegations into a matter that, on the facts presented before him, appeared to centre on a land dispute.
He subsequently rejected the remand application and granted bail to all four defendants in the sum of N1 million each, with one surety in the same amount.
The court further directed that all sureties must be residents of Benin City.
