Justice Mary Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has ordered the remand to prison custody, Mr. Frank Irabor, the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council.
Irabor and six others are facing prosecution for his alleged involvement in the illegal demolition of over 80 houses in Ulegun Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Other accused persons also remanded are: Chief Oko-Oboh Ebosele, Aghavbere Osawemwenguan, Abel Oko Oboh, Tuesday Atagamene, Okechukwu Okeke and Ode Uloko.
Justice Itsueli held that the accused would remain in Oko maximum prison pending receipt of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The police is prosecuting the accused following protests by the community for justice over the illegal destruction of their property as well as alleged intimidation, harassment and disregard for the rule of law.
The community had, Monday, protested the alleged demolition of several houses in their community, as well as arrest and maiming of their Village Head (Enogie), Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie, and the community’s Chief Priest (Ohen), Philip Uwuoroya, by a group of chiefs, led by Frank Irabor