Tony Osauzo, Benin
Two Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials were have been arraigned at Benin High Court for alleged murder of a 38-year-old passenger, Samuel Odion.
The suspects, Onotu Joseph, 32, and Francis Igboh, 35, who are officers of FRSC in Edo State, were alleged to have killed Samuel Odion on the 14th of October this year at Owa Hill along Benin- Asaba Road in the state.
The suspects were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder.
The charge sheet reads: “That you Onotu Joseph ‘m’ and Francis Igboh ‘m’ had on or about the 14th of October, 2019, at about 12.00hrs at Owa Hill, Benin-Asaba Express Road, in the Benin Judicial Division did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit:
“Murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. 11, laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 now applicable in Edo State”.
The trial judge, Hon Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele remanded the two in prison custody and fix hearing on November 12, 2019.
Speaking to journalists, the state counsel, Peter Ugwumba, said the suspects were arraigned for justice to be served, adding that the case had been referred to the Edo State Legal Department for advice.
The deceased passenger was said to have chattered an Audi 80 car and was travelling in it when the embattled FRSC personnel flagged it down.
It was learnt that the deceased passenger was said to have aided his driver to resist alleged extortion attempt by the FRSC officers.
The ensuing altercation between the officers and the passenger reportedly paved the way for the driver to flee from the scene, leaving the passenger at the mercy of the enraged FRSC operatives, who allegedly chased him to a nearby bush where they beat him to death.
They were said to have abandoned the corpse and fled in their official vehicle.