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 / 148 c / 2015 .
The accused persons were alleged to have conspired together on the 9 th 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 1 st 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 2 nd 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 grant his clients bail , saying that as gentlemen they would not jump bail .
The Prosecution Counsel while objecting the bail application , described the 1 st accused person as a man of considerable means who has the capacity to interfere in the investigation of the trial as others were still at large .
Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice , Henry Idahagbon, who led a retinue of Senior Counsel of the Justice Ministry in prosecution, told the court that the offence was tantamount to a traditional coup de tat capable of causing breach of peace, unrest and civil disorder in the society .
He therefore urged the court to refuse the bail application .
In her ruling , Magistrate Ojobo ordered the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned hearing of case to 29 September 2015.