The crises which have engulfed Abavo, an oil community in Ika South local government area of Delta State took a new twixt on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 as its traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Uche Irenuma II, was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Asaba, the State capital. He was arraigned alongside four others, Uwamagbe Onyekwe, Festus, Irenuma Ogochukwu Amadi Chison and Prince Chinedu. Irenuma on 16 count charges of conspiracy, felony, arson, attempted murder, giving false information and breach of public peace in suit number CMA/75/C2014.
There was a mild drama at the court as Obi Irenuma was brought into the court with an ambulance of a private hospital in Asaba and was taken into the court room on a stretcher carrying a drip fixed on his hand.
The counsel to the Defense, Barr. Ifeanyi Aghaulor in his submission objected the arraignment, urging that the accused was not fit to stand trial and should be allowed to go back to the hospital to treat himself.
The prosecution led by Mr. T. Okey opposed the application, citing section 236 and 701 of the criminal code which gives the court power to assume jurisdiction over the matter.
In her ruling, the trial Magistrate, Mrs. Queen Momoh directed that the monarch be taken to Police Hospital for treatment before adjourning the matter to March 11th, 2014 for mention.
Part of the 16 count charge reads: “that you Obi Uche Irennuma, Uwamagbe Onyekewu, Irenuma Ogochukwu, Amadi Chison, Prince Chinedu Irenuma and others now at large on or about the 16th day of January in Abavo, in the Abavo Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to comit felony to wit: promoting ethnic war and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 515 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.
A member of the Abavo royal family, Prince Andrew Jegbefume in an interview with newsmen after the court sitting accused the embattled Obi Irenuma of destroying his property at Abavo, saying he would have lost his life if not for the quick intervention of the police.
On his part, Prince Innocent Obaseki who was allegedly accused by Obi Uche of kidnapping his mother said he was shocked when he heard the news calling for his arrest which was ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State command for kidnapping Obi Uche’s mother. He thanked the police for properly investigating the matter and have found out that the allegation was false.
However, nine prominent Chiefs from Abavo: Comfort Okonta, Odeh Augustine, Ehijene Ifeanyi, Patricia Mbiri, Proseline Ugbede, Hanna Amayo, Yusul Odije and Agbaje Osemeha were also arrainged before the court for obstructing members of the Nigeria Police in order to prevent them to carry out their lawful assignment and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 126 (1) of the criminal code cap C21, Vol 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigerian, 2006.
However as at the time of filling this report, Ika Weekly gathered that the above mentioned persons have been released by the police pending the day they will appear in court.
The court case involving the Obi of Abavo was first registered on Monday February 10, 2014 at Abavo Magistrate Court Abavo before it was transferred to Asaba.
Ikaworld.com
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