Court Rejects Police Remand Bid, Grants Bail to Five Suspects

A Benin High Court has denied the police's request to detain five individuals accused of willful damage to property. The suspects, Osaigbovo Idemudia, Osasere Eria, Michael Atohengbe, Osamu Sadis, and Osahon Ezekiel, were brought before the court on a three-count charge related to an alleged incident on November 7, 2025, in Irue Village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

Justice Terry Momodu, serving as the Vacation Judge, ruled against the police's application for remand. Instead, the judge granted bail to each of the five defendants to the sum of ₦500,000, requiring one surety per individual. Justice Momodu stated that the alleged offenses were of a simple nature and found no evidence that the defendants had violated any previously granted administrative bail conditions.

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There was nothing before the court to establish that the defendants had breached or jumped the administrative bail earlier granted to them by the police.

As part of the bail conditions, the five accused individuals must remain available and report weekly to sign an attendance register. This decision signifies a shift from pre-trial detention, allowing the suspects to await further proceedings under specific reporting requirements.

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The alleged offences were of a simple nature.