A former Publicity Secretary of the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barr. Douglas Ogbankwa late Thursday March 28 March 2024, planted himself on the horn of dilemma having lost attempts to gag Nigeria Media from carryout ita Constitutional duties.
Barr Ogbankwa allegedly crossed red lines when he led armed policemen in plain clothes to arrest a Benin-based blogger, Friday Aghedo who published a case of alleged stealing and attack on the matrimonial home of Sandra Palmer-Kelvin (Plaintiff) and other related issues with Ogbankwa’s client, based in Denmark who is Sandra’s husband.
Trouble started when the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe inquired from other journalists why the former NBA Secretary invade the NUJ premises with security operatives in such a gestapo without first announcing their presence to the NUJ leadership.
Consequently, Comrade Alenkhe, met the security personnel and assured them that the Aghedo would honour police invitation.
But to the chagrin of everyone, Barr. Ogbankwa turned to the NUJ chairman and roared at him with ignominy, saying, “Alenkhe, even you, I will pick you up”.
The Benin-based lawyer, was said to have also threatened to deal with other journalists present including Comrade Simeon Osajie of the Merit Chapel, the State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspaper, Ozioruva Aliu, Secretary of the Council, Comrade Andy Egbon and the Council’s Treasurer, Comrade Solomon Obozuya and several others.
When his case between The State and Douglas Ogbankwa and others now at large, marked
marked B/10/600/2024, was mentioned earlier in court, several lawyers, including the Benin Branch chairman of the NBA, Nosa Edo-Osagie, Emmanuel Usoh and others, pleaded with the judge, Justice, Justice Efe Isoken Ikponmwonba to pave the way for them to intervene in the issue, which they unanimously pleaded would be settled and report back to court in the next adjourn date when Ogbankwa will be docked and expected to take his plea.
In the charge sheet between the State and Douglas Ogbankwa and others (now at large), were accused of allegedly stealing a stabilizer belonging to Sandra Palmer-Kelvin.
Barr. Ogbankwa, is facing charges including felony punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.
The charge also reads that “Ogbankwa and others now at large, sometimes in the month of January, 2023 at 2nd Ugbor road, GRA Benin within the Benin Judicial Division did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: forcibly entry” which it said is punishable under Section 56 (1) of the criminal law of Edo State, 2022.
The charge sheet reads partly that: “Douglas Ogbankwa and others now at large sometimes in the month of January, 2023 at the 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State within the Benin Judicial Division , did forcefully enter the residential house of one Sandra Palmer-Kelvin damage door keys belonging to one Sandra palmer-Kelvin.
“Douglas Ogbankwa and others now at large, sometimes in the month of January, 2023 at 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State within the Benin Judicial Division , did steal one stabilizer belonging to one Sandra Palmer Kelvin”.
Having listed for the various submissions by lenient Counsels, Justice Ikponmwonba, adjourned the case for a report of settlement plea was not taken.
The prosecuting Counsel, Mr Orobosa Okunbor however did not oppose the defendant counsel’s application.
Leave a Reply