Sunday 12 May 2013

Criminal Edo Lawmaker jailed over robbery allegation



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Members of the Edo State House of Assembly experienced serious embarrassment on Tuesday when one of their colleagues, Rasaq Momoh was ordered by a Magistrate Court to be remanded in prison until 3rd June 2013 when his case would be heard.
The Magistrate Court sitting in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state had ordered the prison remandment of the lawmaker, who represents Etsako West Constituency 1 over allegation of illegal possession of a gun during the recently held Local Government election held in the state.
Momoh was arrested in the Agbede area of the State, after an earlier arraignment on 2nd May before presiding judge, Caroline Nwoha.
The lawmaker was remanded in Police custody after the last hearing, despite his argument and plea that he had health issues. The court had fixed Tuesday for judgement in the case.
When the case came up on Tuesday, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Mato, who is the prosecutor in the case amendment of the initial charge to armed robbery urged the court to transfer the case to the State High Court since it was no longer an electoral offence.
He said the lawmaker actually engaged in armed robbery but that it was only unfortunate that he was arrested the same day of the election.
Before adjourning the case to 3rd June, the magistrate confirmed that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, and asked that the case file be duplicated and sent to Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for proper advice.
Courtesy Huhuonline

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