A registrar working in Ubiaja magistrate court in Edo Central Senatorial District has remanded two suspects in Ubiaja Correctional Centre without an order of court by the magistrate.
It was learnt that the suspects, Mr. Isabu Mathew (M) and Omoarelogie Omhonribie (M)
Both from Ewohimi community were involved in a fight on Monday, 29th September, 2025 after which the police were invited.
The suspects were accordingly arrested, taken into custody, and taken to the magistrate’s court on Friday, 30th September 2025.
It was discovered that the court magistrate is currently on annual leave. However, the court registrar heard the matter on behalf of the magistrate and remanded the suspects in the Ubiaja Correctional Centre pending when the magistrate’s resumption of work from his annual leave. The magistrate was not on the ground to hear suspects and prosecution or determine the merit or otherwise of the matter.
Members of Edo Civil Society Organisations, Edo Central District chapter have been following up the matter closely which has generated mixed reactions from legal minds and the human rights community, as it has never been the responsibility of a court registrar to act in the place of a magistrate. This process is not known to law said by a legal practitioner who went to say the police would have granted suspects administrative bail and arraign on a later date when the magistrate sits to hear the matter.
The suspects are currently languishing in Ubiaja Correctional Centre that no magistrate heard or gave an order on. Family members of suspects are confused as they are yet to know their fate.
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