Journalists were barred from covering the case involving the suspended Enigie (Dukes) of Benin Kingdom and Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, as the hearing resumed on Monday at Court Six of the Benin High Court in Edo State. The case, which will start afresh on October 17, will now be presided over by Justice M.N. Asemota due to a recent judicial posting within the state judiciary. Initially, Justice Peter Akhihiero was handling the case.
The suspended Enigie, led by the Duke of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen Siluko dukedoms in Benin Kingdom, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen, are challenging their suspension from office by the Oba.
During the last hearing on May 9, over 100 priests, priestesses, and palace chiefs gathered at the High Court, chanting curses against the enemies of the Oba. In response, the state government, through its Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, issued a warning to prevent any disruption of Monday’s proceedings and urged the public not to intimidate lawyers and judges in their duties.
Fortunately, the court session proceeded without any mass gathering or disruption. The matter was adjourned to October 17, when the case is expected to begin anew.
One of the defense lawyers, Samson Osagie, explained that the adjournment and the need to restart the case were due to the transfer of judges within the Edo State Judiciary. He stated, "The case was adjourned to October 17 when it will start afresh because of posting within the Edo State Judiciary leading to transfer of judges from different judicial divisions. Today, Court Six, which is handling the matter, has indicated that as a new judge, the matter will have to start de novo. This means it has to start afresh because it is not the same judge who was handling it before. This is the position of the law."
He added, "Nothing happened today in terms of proceedings except that the matter was mentioned again for the first time, and the court ruled that the matter has to start afresh on October 17."
