The absence of Justice Effreti Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State, Thursday, stalled the arraignment of Delta traditional ruler HRH Oghenekevwe Kumane on alleged terrorism charges leading to the death of not less than 3 persons and willful destruction of over fourteen houses within Evwreni kingdom.
Oghenekevwe Kumane, Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom in Ughelli North local government area of Delta state, one Atiri Stephen and Kelly Omojugheri were billed to be arraigned on amended 9-count charges with suit No: FHC/WR/95C/2020, which included alleged terrorism and murder.
According to Advocate newspaper, an online news portal, the monarch has been evading court appearance in a case before Hon. Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Warri, and that at the last adjournment, his lawyer promised to produce him in court to face his charges, hence he was brought on Thursday, however, the court failed to hear the case.
Recall that the other two accused persons, Atiri Stephen and Kelly Omojughere have been reminded at the Correctional Center Warri, but the absense of the monarch made it impossible for the court to take their plea when they were brought to the court severally.
The 9-count charge reads in part:
Count 1:
“That you, HRH Oghenekevwe Kumane, male, (42 years old) of Abete Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Atiri Stephen male, (47 years old) of Edjeba Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, and Kelly Omojughere Kumane, male, (32 years old) of Amekpa Street, Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence to wit: criminal conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism and he thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
Count 2:
That you, HRH Oghenekevwe Kumane male, (42 years old) of Abete Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Atiri Stephen, male, (47 years old) of Edjeba Street, Evwreni Kingdom, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Kelly Omojugheri Kumane, male, (32 years old) of Amekpa Street, Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence to wit: facilitated the activities of persons engaged in acts of terrorism in Evwreni Community, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
Count 3:
That you, HRH Oghenekevwe Kumane, male, (42 years old) of Abete Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State Kingdom Ughelli North LGA Delta State, Atiri Stephen, male, (47 years old) of Edjeba Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Kelly Omojughere Kumane male, (32 years old) of Amekpa Street, Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, sometimes on July 1, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence to wit: participated in the commission of acts of terrorism by attacking and causing the death of Sylvester Adjogbe and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) (c) (i) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended by the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 1(h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
Count 4:
That you, HRH Oghenekevwe Kumane, male, (42 years old) of Abete Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State Kingdom Ughelli North LGA Delta State, Atiri Stephen, male, (47 years old) of Edjeba Street, Evwreni Kingdom Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Kelly Omojugheri Kumane, male, (32 years old) of Amekpa Street, Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence to wit: acts of terrorism by attacking and causing the death of Omoghene Akakor and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) (c) (i) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended by the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 1(h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013,” among other 5 charges.
However, it was further learned that the Court will not sit until 12.00 pm and the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang informed the counsels to both parties that he would only entertain Fundamental Human Right cases during his sitting, which led to the adjournment of the case to October 25, 2022.
