CJ frees killer of Oshiomhole’s ex-aide, Olaitan

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The Chief judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen has released Mr. Moses Okoro over alleged missing case file.
The inmate who was linked to the murder of Mr Olaitan Oyerinde whose death occurred on May 4, 2012, has been on awaiting trial before reprieve came his way on Wednesday.
Justice Ikponmwen ordered his release and three other inmates during her visit to Oko medium Correctional Centre in Benin.
Olaitan, former Principal private Secretary to a former Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomhole was killed by gunmen at his residence at Second Ugbor Community in Benin City.
Other inmates that were pardoned by the judge are Mr Joseph Effiong, Mr Victor Ogunsuyi and Mr Joel Ogbeide.
Ogunsuyi and Mr Joel Ogbeide had spent over 13 and 6 years respectively in custody awaiting trial before the intervention.
On the case of Mr Joseph Effiong his release was occasioned by a letter written a year ago from the DPP to prima facie case was established against him.
He was pardoned following the inability of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the Nigeria police to explain the mutilated figures and why he had multiple warrants.
The Chief judge ordered his release, adding that there was no justifiable cause to hold him in custody.
The Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Correction Service in charge of the Oko medium Correctional Centre, Mr Evboeruan Godwin, highlighted the ongoing reforms in the facility.
He called for the establishment of court cells for securing inmates before entry into courts.
Evboeruan disclosed that the initiative would ward-off complaints arising from suffocation and dehydration by inmates.
A total of one thousand and thirty two cases were reviewed during the visit which will be the last to the center by the outgoing Chief judge.
Our Correspondent reports that late Olaitan who held a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos was born in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He started trade unionism with the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, before he became the Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Campaign for Democracy, CD.
In 2001, he joined the NLC and was the Deputy General Secretary before taking a leave of absence to work with Adams Oshiomhole who is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.