Edo State Government has withdrawn the 29-count charges preferred against the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr Frank Irabor, and six palace officials over alleged demolition of houses.
In August 2022, the state government brought a 29-count charge against the defendants over the demolition of houses at Ulegun community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
The accused were then remanded in prison by Justice Mary Itsueli of Edo State High Court.
But at the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the State Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Orobosa Okunbor, applied for the withdrawal of the case from the court.
Okunbor told the court that the case was withdrawn to allow for peaceful reconciliation by the state government, which had paid compensation to persons whose livelihood were impacted by the demolition.
Recall that the defendants in the suit had already pleaded not guilty to the 29- count charge preferred against them.
In his reaction to the withdrawal of the case from the court, the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, commended the state government and Governor Godwin Obaseki for the action.
Irabor described the government intervention as a right step in the right direction towards peace and reconciliation.
He said, “On behalf of the Chief and other palace functionaries, we like to thank the Edo State Government, ably led by Governor Godwin Obaseki for deeming it fit and appropriate to withdraw this case that was filed against us.
“It’s the right step in the right direction.”
