Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Prince Rich-Arisco Osemwengie dancing after his inauguration
A Senior Magistrate’s Court in Benin, Edo state Wednesday ordered the remand of Prince Rich Arisco-Osemwingie, in prison custody, for unlawfully coronating himself as His Royal Majesty, Ogiamen of Utantan in Benin nation.
Arisco-Osemwingie, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was arraigned along with his brother, Patrick Osabuohien, on a six-count charge of felony and misdemeanour before Chief Magistrate M.C. Ojobo, (Mrs.), in Charge No. MOR/148c/2015.
The accused persons were alleged to have conspired together on the 9th day of September 2015 at No. 97 Sakponba Road in Benin City to commit the unlawful coronation, an offence punishable under Section 517 of the criminal code, Cap 48 Vol 11 laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 now applicable in Edo State.
According to the charge sheet, the 1st accused person (Rich Arisco Osemwengie) was said to have allowed himself to be installed as a Traditional Ruler, His Royal Majesty, The Ogiamen of Utantan Benin Nation, as well as assumed the Chieftaincy title when he is not a chief, without the approval of the Executive Council of Edo State, an offence punishable under Section 20(2)(b) and 26 (1)(a)(11) of the Traditional Ruler Chiefs Law of Bendel State.
The 2nd accused person (Patrick Osabuohien) and others now at large, were alleged to have carried out the said coronation without the approval of the Executive Council and thereby committed an offence punishable under Sections 20 (2)(a)(b), 26(2)(a) and 249 (d) of the criminal code.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Citing Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure, as well as Section 36(5) of the Nigeria Constitution where bail was at the discretion of the court, Counsel for the accused, Godwin Oiakhena who led four other lawyers, prayed the court to …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
